Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has given the reason as to why under-fire star player Percy Tau was an unused substitute during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
South Africa claimed a convincing 3-1 victory over The Warriors in front of a lively crowd at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
An early strike by Iqraam Rayners and a second-half brace from substitute Thapelo Morena added to Zimbabwe’s World Cup qualifiers misery.
The neighbours got their goal through the impressive youngster Tawanda Chirewa, also early into the clash.
Tau was a notable change from Broos’ team that played to a one-all draw with Nigeria away from home on Friday.
After the Nigeria clash, the Bafana forward was subjected to heavy criticism from a section of SA fans who weren’t too pleased with his performance.
Harsh criticism of Tau is becoming a norm as was the case during and after Mzansi’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign at the beginning of the year.
READ: ‘It was very emotional for me’ – Bafana Bafana hero Thapelo Morena on his return to Siwelele home
While it may have appeared as if Broos was trying to shield the player from further reproval, the Belgian mentor said that wasn’t the case.
“Percy is injured,” Broos told the media after the game.
“He was injured after the game against Nigeria, but we thought he was going to be ready today (Tuesday).
“The treatment he had in the last three days didn’t help so much, so we went to the hospital for scans, and we discovered he had a muscle injury. He couldn’t play.
“He wanted to be on the bench, again that shows how this group is. He supported the guys on the pitch, and he is even more happy than anybody else.”
Percy Tau appreciation 🦁 pic.twitter.com/zoEf4bQFnQ
— L E S E D I (@_Hybreed_) May 26, 2024
Before the Zimbabwe clash, Broos came into the player’s defence, labelling some of the fans’ opinions on the Al Ahly star as disgusting.
“It’s the worst thing in the world to say what you want about somebody. This is disgusting sometimes. I hope that’s what he feels from the group and the technical staff, and I hope it will be enough for Percy,” said Broos as quoted by TimesLIVE.
“I don’t understand what happens [with public opinion] with Percy Tau, really. Somebody told me people were again not so happy with the performance of Percy against Nigeria. There were a lot of critics for his performances at Afcon.
“I think everybody puts so much weight on the shoulders of Percy. I said it already, maybe not in the right way, but you can’t make Percy a player who decides the game. He’s a good player, there’s no doubt about it.
“But everybody thinks Percy will give us the victory every game — he’s not that kind of player. I want to ask you not to expect too much from him.
“I was happy with his game against Nigeria. We replaced him because he was exhausted.”
Tau has been one of the key figures for Bafana over the years, scoring 15 goals and providing 48 assists.
Only Benni McCarthy, Shaun Bartlett, Katlego Mphela, Bernard Parker, the late Phil Masinga and Siyabonga Nomvethe have scored more goals than Tau in Bafana colours.
Most of the comments on #PercyTau show the shallow thinking that has replaced reasoning and understanding. Show me 1 player in those colors who has achieved more right now ??? @percymuzitau22 pic.twitter.com/Nl9y4rrnzj
— Luxolo September (@Lux_September) June 11, 2024
