Tau will continue to grow – Bafana coach Ntseki

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday May 20, 2020. 12:00

South Africa national team coach Molefi Ntseki believes that Percy Tau will continue to grow from strength to strength after enjoying yet more success this season.

Tau’s Club Brugge were officially crowned Belgian Pro League champions (the decision was recently ratified after the earlier cancellation of the league due to the coronavirus pandemic), with the South African striker enjoying a fine season on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Tau’s list of achievements is growing impressively. He has now won the PSL, CAF Champions League, CAF Super Cup, Telkom Knockout, PSL Footballer of the Season and Belgian First Division Player of the Year awards.

Yet Ntseki believes the forward remains humble and dedicated to his craft – and is set for a move to a bigger club at some point in the not-too-distant future.

“Every stage is the preparation of how you handle fame,” Ntseki said in an interview with IOL Sport. “How do you handle being popular? Are you still humble with all the success on your shoulders? Do you still give respect to your profession?

“For one to sign with Albion and not play there, it should have been a huge disappointment. But he wasn’t deflated, he kept on working hard. The Percy that I know is that type of person because of the journey that he went through. He believes in himself, he works hard and he wants to achieve more.”

The national team coach added, “I don’t see him struggling in terms of handling the success that is coming his way and being a big player for South Africa and Bafana Bafana.

“When he is in camp, he is the same player, he always gives respect to other players, he respects the technical team, the support staff and everybody.

“Whenever he is getting too much attention from the public, Percy will always stay humble. That will work for him to handle whatever comes his way. He has gone through all the phases in his career and that has prepared him for high levels of life where he has to conduct himself in a different way.”

Ntseki insists that time with a top club is in Tau’s future: “Percy will get to where he wants to be and where everyone wants him to be. A top team will come. It is not going to be nice for Percy to sign for a top team and not play.

“That time will come when he will be ready to play for that top team. Everyone wants him to move to another level of football. His qualities will bring him to that team as long as he is given an opportunity to play. He will showcase his talent and that’s how Percy will become a top player playing for a top team.”