Kaizer Chiefs Football Manager Bobby Motaung has addressed the persistent rumors linking former Mamelodi Sundowns forward Percy Tau to the club.
His comments come after the 31-year-old Bafana Bafana international became a free agent, having recently parted ways with Qatar Stars League side Qatar SC.
While Amakhosi were reportedly keen to add Tau to their squad for the upcoming 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, it appears that the prolific attacker’s wage demands may have ultimately scuppered any potential deal.
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The Lion of Judah boasts an impressive and well-traveled career, having started at Mamelodi Sundowns before venturing abroad to play for clubs such as Brighton & Hove Albion, Union Saint-Gilloise, Club Brugge, and Anderlecht. He also had a stint with Egyptian giants Al Ahly before his move to Qatar.
Motaung, speaking to Smash Sports, shared his perspective on the dynamics of player negotiations, emphasizing the importance of a player’s genuine desire to join a club over immediate financial gain.
“Our industry is funny. When you want a player and when we start talking [and] you start talking about money first, he’s not coming to our club. That’s not your player,” Motaung stated.
He further elaborated on the club’s philosophy: “When you love the game, money will come. If you say, ‘This is the club I want to play for’ [we’ll discuss other things later].”
Motaung stressed that leading with financial demands can signal a lack of genuine commitment to the sport or a particular club. “But if you start off by saying, ‘How much are you giving me?’ that person is no longer playing for the game. The industry taught me that. The issue of salary.”
While acknowledging the necessity of money for players to meet their personal obligations, Motaung underscored the value of passion and sacrifice.
“Yes, you need money, I need to pay school fees, maintenance, but the thing of loving people, sacrifice is hard. It’s something deep. If you don’t have the right spirit, you can run away or quit.”
Motaung’s reflections offer insight into Kaizer Chiefs’ recruitment strategy. Indeed, this stance could explain why a deal for a high-profile free agent like Percy Tau, Sipho Mbule or Rivaldo Coetzee might not materialize, despite the clear quality the trio would bring to Naturena.