Former Bafana Bafana striker Katlego Mashego has given Percy Tau words of advice after the Al Ahly star faced heavy criticism on social media in recent times.
Tau has been selected for Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad to face Uganda and South Sudan in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns star is currently experiencing a dip in form with the national team, struggling to find the back of the net. His last goal for Bafana came on January 21, 2024, against Namibia during the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
In that tournament, where South Africa secured the bronze medal, Tau faced scrutiny for scoring only one goal from the penalty spot.
As a result of his form, he was dropped from the Bafana squad during the previous FIFA international break, when the 1996 AFCON winners defeated Congo 5-0 and played to a 1-1 draw in the return leg.
Meanwhile, Bafana head coach Hugo Broos admitted that he left Tau out of the squad because the criticism and scrutiny had affected him mentally.
Tau had initially been included in the preliminary squad for the AFCON qualifiers against Congo-Brazzaville. However, he requested to be removed from the team.
KATLEGO MASHEGO SAYA PERCY TAU MUST USE HIS EXPERIENCE TO DEAL WITH CRITICS
Mashego says Percy Tau is now a senior player, and he should know that he can’t make everyone happy as a player.
“I think we must not forget that Percy Tau is the best export in the past seven seasons or so. He played for some of the big teams in Europe and on the African continent, so that says a lot about his qualities,” Mashego told FARPost.
“And with his criticism on social media, he’s over 30 now and he’s experienced enough, I’m sure he knows that he can’t please everyone. So he’s a big boy with a big character, so I’m sure these challenges are not something he can’t handle.”
Meanwhile Broos recently expressed his disappointment with the unfair criticism directed at his Bafana vice-captain Tau, stating that it had a negative impact on the player.
“I don’t know, I see things happening; we don’t have to repeat the period after AFCON; they [fans] killed him, they really killed him, and it was not fair. It was not fair, okay, he was not really the deciding player or was not really fantastic, but he did the job,” said Broos.
RELATED STORY: Rulani reacts to SAFA’s criticism over Sundowns’ decision on Mabena
