The return to form of Percy Tau has culminated in the Bafana Bafana forward earning a second CAF Champions League winners’ medal after he helped Egyptian giants Al Ahly to their 11th victory in the elite African club competition.
Just six months ago Tau was low on form and confidence after persistent injuries had curtailed his game-time and made him a peripheral figure in Cairo, but his turnaround in fortunes has been remarkable as he becomes the first South African to win the Champions League twice.
He has been involved in 10 goal contributions, scoring five himself, in 12 matches for Ahly in the Champions League, more than any other player in the squad this season.
“Patriotic Lion of Judah wearing the respectable South African flag. That flag is very notorious with winning major trophies in different countries and continents,” his former coach Pitso Mosimane wrote on social media.
“Thanks God, injuries gave you a break to show your talent. My player of the tournament and a champion of Africa.”
Once back to full fitness at the turn of the year, he has been sublime and arguably in the best form of his career, leading from the front as Al Ahly defeated defending champions Wydad Casablanca 3-2 on aggregate in this season’s two-legged decider.
That was some sweet revenge for Tau, who played in last year’s final that was won 2-0 by Wydad at their home stadium in Casablanca, a result that also signaled the exit from Ahly of his mentor Mosimane.
There were many who believed Tau would not perform without the man who had shaped his career from the start, and that his days with Ahly were numbered.
But he has proved them wrong in the most emphatic way, with match winning performances having rediscovered his pace and trickery on the ball, and chipped in with vital goals.
There were reports in March that Ahly are keen to tie him down to a new, improved contract with his current deal set to expire in June 2024, and amid interest from his former club Mamelodi Sundowns, with who he won his first Champions League title in 2016.
He has been consistent in the Egyptian league for Ahly, but it is continental club competition where he has really left his mark and shown his value.
He missed the preliminary stage through injury, but once their group campaign began in February, he started every game for Ahly right through to the final, scoring an impressive five goals.
In fact, only Sundowns star Peter Shalulile and teammate Kahraba (both six) scored more goals than him this season from the group stages onwards.
His first goal was bittersweet, but an excellent finish as he was the best player on the pitch for Ahly in their 5-2 loss to Sundowns in the group stages in Pretoria.
That result was part of a disappointing pool stage for the side, as has been the case for several seasons, but they showed that when the knockout rounds begin, they come alive.
Tau also scored against Cameroon side CotonSport as they edged Sudanese outfit Al Hilal on head-to-head to finish second in the group. Aside from his goal against CotonSport, he also provided two assists, both for hattrick hero Kahraba.
They went into their final pool game needing to beat Al Hilal and in the end romped to a 3-0 win, with Tau again providing an assist, this time for Hussein El Shahat.
That set up a tough quarterfinal against Moroccan side Raja Casablanca, but the platform for success was laid at home as they won 2-0, with Tau laying on a goal for Hamdi Fathi. The second leg finished 0-0.
Tunisian side Esperance looked formidable opponents for Ahly, but inspired by a brace of goals from Tau, they were no match for the Egyptians and lost the first leg 3-0, before Tau provided an assist in the second game for El Shahat in a 1-0 win.
A positive result home was always going to be needed in the final against Wydad as the competition reverted to a two-legged decider and Tau put his side in front with a rare headed goal.
He was also lively in the return game in Casablanca as Ahly came from a goal down to level the score at 1-1 and regain the trophy they had lost the year before.
“Percy Tau is a distinguished player, but he suffered an injury before he ran the correct program [with us],” Ahly coach Marcel Koller said.
“But now, we got him back at the right time in his best condition, and everyone helps him to show his best abilities. All of this is done by the coaching staff, and the players also around him in their best form, allows him to shine.”
Former Ahly striker Emad Moteab was also full of praise for the player.
“The continuity of Percy Tau playing and maintaining his physical fitness and avoiding injuries has made him perform at this level,” Moteab said. “Tau is currently in full fitness and full artistic performance.”
Bafana Bafana fans will hope he can carry that form into the Africa Cup of Nations clash with Morocco on Saturday, driving another dagger through the hearts of Wydad fans.