Bafana Bafana legend Shaun Bartlett has commended Hugo Broos for the “brave decision” to sideline Al Ahly winger Percy Tau.
Although Tau was initially included in the 38-man preliminary squad announced on October 29, he did not make the final 23-player roster set to face Uganda on November 15 and South Sudan on November 19.
Broos explained that he chose to leave out the 30-year-old due to limited game time at his club, with Tau having appeared in only seven matches across all competitions since the start of the 2024-25 season.
“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, said Broos.
Bartlett praised Broos’ decision, emphasising the importance of including players in the national team who regularly feature for their clubs, especially with major international tournaments approaching.
Bafana is well-positioned to qualify for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“It’s a brave decision, but I think it’s the right one because you want to choose players purely on merits and getting game time. You don’t want to come here and then you gotta answer questions as to why you selected and not playing but you in the squad,” Said Bartlett while speaking to Sowetan Live.
The former Bafana striker advised the Al Ahly star to consider moving to a club where he will be used regularly.
“I think it’s fair. It’s also a wake-up call for Percy in order to move if he want to keep playing and make the national team. Because it does look like we gonna qualify for Afcon and for the World Cup so far. So, if you want to be part of that squad, you need to play regularly for his club.
Bartlett is confident that the national team can top their Afcon 2023 performance where they came home with a bronze medal urging the players to also believe that they can also win the continental trophy.
“It’s important that we not become too predictable. I do feel and believe that if our players have self-belief, we can go all the way and win it,” he concluded.
Written by Siphesihle Soni