Bafana Bafana star Percy Tau has put pen to paper on a new contract with Egyptian giants Al Ahly. © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Percy Tau has been cleared to join up with Bafana Bafana
In a huge boost for Bafana Bafana, Brighton have given the all-clear for Percy Tau to join up with Molefi Ntseki’s side later this month.
Bafana Bafana star Percy Tau has put pen to paper on a new contract with Egyptian giants Al Ahly. © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Brighton and Hove Albion striker Percy Tau will be allowed to leave the UK and join up with Bafana Bafana for international duty.
Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki has secured the services of five of the overseas-based players selected for the upcoming Afcon qualifiers including Tau despite COVID-19 restrictions.
Percy Tau given all-clear
Tau has been an unused substitute in a string of matches for the English Premiership strugglers and while it is unclear if he will have to quarantine upon return to England, he will be allowed to join the squad.
Also linking up with Bafana Bafana will be Portugal-based players – Thibang Phete‚ Luther Singh and Lyle Foster; and Siyanda Xulu who turns out for Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel.
Bongani Zungu not cleared for duty
Rangers midfielder Bongani Zungu has not been cleared to leave despite the club’s exit from the Europa League this week and the fact that they have wrapped up the Scottish Premiership.
No players based in France will be released for duty outside of Europe which has ruled out Keagan Dolly while Dean Furman will remain with his club Carlisle and Abu Dhabi-based Thulani Serero will also not travel.
Ntseki is relieved to have at least five players joining his squad from overseas but is concerned by the apparent favouritism shown by Fifa towards clubs in Uefa nations.
“We selected the team seven days before the squad announcement [on March 4] ‚” Ntseki told TimesLIVE. “So in those seven days I spoke to all the overseas-based players just to find out their situations‚ and some not playing‚ and why they were not playing.
“I did that research in terms of their availability‚ and they were all positive. But I think what has made life very difficult was for Fifa to appear to be protective of Uefa [European FAs].”
Potter sees sense and releases Percy Tau
Ntseki appears to have convinced Brighton boss Graham Potter that the Afcon qualifiers will give Tau valuable game time after weeks of warming the bench for the Seagulls.
“Percy Tau will be coming – we got confirmation yesterday [Wednesday] from the club‚ and they also asked for the GPS scores of the training sessions and loading for the player‚” Ntseki said.
With four slots now open in his squad, Ntseki and his staff will take in the final round of Premiership fixtures ahead of the international break before naming the replacement players
