South Africa has long produced football stars who have made their mark internationally, particularly in Europe. While the likes of Benni McCarthy, Lucas Radebe, and Steven Pienaar stole the show in top European leagues, Percy Tau's journey in Egypt is carving out its own legendary status.
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His time at Al Ahly will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most illustrious for any South African playing on the African continent.
Sure, we have had many players succeed abroad – Quinton Fortune, Shaun Bartlett, Mark Fish, and Sibusiso Zuma to name a few—but Tau's story stands apart, not only for his success in Europe but also for his tremendous achievements with one of Africa's biggest clubs, Al Ahly.
Tau had stints in England and Belgium, but it's in North Africa, playing for Al Ahly, where he has truly shined. Representing South Africa at the CAF Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, Tau has not only won titles but also cemented his status as a footballing icon in the region.
He's arguably the most successful South African footballer to grace North African pitches, and his trophy cabinet proves it: two Egyptian Premier League titles, three Egyptian Super Cups, two CAF Champions League titles, one CAF Super Cup, and two bronze medals from the FIFA Club World Cup. Given the prestigious No. 10 jersey, Tau has become a fan favourite, with Ahly supporters hailing his contributions since his arrival in 2021.
Tau's journey to stardom started right here in South Africa. He was brought into the Mamelodi Sundowns first team by Pitso Mosimane, who later became one of his most important mentors. A loan move to Witbank Spurs in 2015/16 set the stage for Tau's rise. Upon his return, he helped Sundowns to their historic 2016 CAF Champions League victory. By 2017, he was an integral part of the team, contributing to wins in the CAF Super Cup and the Absa Premiership.
It was his stunning performances in the 2017/18 season that earned him the coveted Footballer of the Season award and caught the attention of European clubs.
Brighton Hove Albion secured his signature, but due to Bafana Bafana's FIFA ranking, he couldn't play in England immediately. Instead, he was loaned out to Union SG in Belgium, where he was named the Player of the Season in 2018/19. His success earned him another loan, this time to top-tier Belgian side Club Brugge, where he won the league title and played in the UEFA Champions League, including a memorable match against Real Madrid.
His European adventure continued with Anderlecht under the guidance of Vincent Kompany before he eventually returned to Brighton in 2021, making his debut in the FA Cup and then the Premier League. However, game time was limited, and a move back to Africa beckoned.
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Since his return to Al Ahly, Tau has been unstoppable! With 10 trophies in just three years, including domestic and continental titles, Tau has proven that success doesn't only lie in Europe. His journey shows that South African players can achieve greatness across the African continent too, continuing to inspire the next generation of Mzansi footballers.
