Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed the difficult decision to exclude Percy Tau from the squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Belgian tactician met with the Al Ahly forward to discuss his lack of playing time in Egypt, which has seen him fall out of favour at the club.
Broos will now turn to other attacking options like Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Evidence Makgopa, Elias Mokwana, and Iqraam Rayners to provide the necessary creativity and goalscoring threat. This isn’t the first time Tau has been omitted, as he was also absent from the recent double-header with Congo (which South Africa won 6-1 on aggregate).
“I had a face-to-face meeting with Percy,” Broos explained. “It’s always tough when you have to make choices like this.
“He’s not playing regularly, and when you don’t play, you lose rhythm, especially when you’re at this level. International football is much more intense than the PSL.”
Broos also highlighted the tough decisions he faces with squad selection, pointing to the omission of Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana in favour of Siyabonga Ngezana, who has recovered from injury.
“It’s difficult, but I can only select 23 players,” Broos added. “Sometimes, players like Percy, who I would love to include, miss out. But I have full confidence in the squad I’ve chosen.”
Broos also defended Tau against the heavy criticism he has faced in South Africa, saying he often protects the player from unrealistic expectations. “People think that when Percy is on the field, he will always score, but it’s not that simple.”
With South Africa currently second in Group K, a victory against Uganda on Friday would secure their place in the 2025 AFCON. Broos will be relying on his squad to step up and deliver in Tau’s absence.