On Thursday, Broos confirmed the latest Bafana squad that has been cut down for crucial clashes against Liberia, and revealed that Tau has been retained in the 24-man group.
Broos’ charges face the Liberians at Orlando Stadium, in Johannesburg, on Friday 24 March (kick off is at 6pm) and then travel to Monrovia to tackle the West Africans on 28 March 2023.
Crucially, South Africa will qualify for the Afcon finals if they can win their two Group K matches against Liberia, with progression into the African showpiece having been a clear goal for the Bafana coach.
With this in mind, he has rewarded Al Ahly’s Tau with a call-up, having acknowledged the 28-year-old can be a weapon for the team after a recent return to form and fitness.
“There is a big difference to Percy Tau from a year ago,” Broos commented. “He was lacking confidence and was not in good shape. But what I saw last weekend against Sundowns (in the CAF Champions League) is that he was the most dangerous player for Al Ahly on the day… Al Ahly disappointed me as a team, but Percy was the only one who made actions, made something happened, and scored a great goal.
“I always said that once he was playing regularly once again, I would consider him, and it was the right time to call him up.”
Tau faced an uncertain future under Broos not that long ago
It can’t be forgotten that Tau was once again absent towards the end of last year when Broos named a squad for a couple of friendly international matches as South Africa went on to beat Mozambique 2-1 and drew 1-1 with Angola.
At that time, Broos issued a warning of sorts to the playmaker, but he also offered a reminder that he could fight his way back into contention this year. That has turned out to be exactly the case.
“He doesn’t have the physique now to play these game. I pray that Percy will play somewhere in Ahly, or wherever…so that he again has the tempo of the game and gets used to playing the game,” Broos said, back in November, as quoted by SABC Sport.
“Don’t think I don’t know the qualities that Percy Tau has, and that I don’t want to take him. But who is it going to help if you take him now? Not the team, and not himself.”
It’s a credit to Tau that he has done enough to win favour with Broos once again, although it was notable that Chiefs keeper Brandon Petersen was left out in favour of SuperSport United’s Ricardo Goss.
The 12 players dropped include Petersen (Chiefs), Khuliso Mudau (Sundowns), Siyanda Msani (Richards Bay), Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City), Khanyiso Mayo (Cape Town City), Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United), Grant Margeman (SuperSport United), Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates), Sphelele Mkhulise (Sundowns), Pule Mmodi (Golden Arrows), Fagrie Lakay (Pyramids, Egypt) and Kobamelo Kodisang (Moreirense, Portugal).
Midfielders: Luke Le Roux (Varbergs BoIS, Sweden), Njabulo Blom (St Louis City, USA), Sphephelo SIthole (Belenenses, Portugal), Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns)
