Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes it’s a good sign that Percy Tau is not happy about not being included in the squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Tau, 30, has not made Broos’ final 23-man squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda (6 September) and South Sudan (10 September).
Broos had explained that he felt Tau wasn’t in the right head-space for the match due to the constant criticism he has been receiving during previous Bafana appearances and his uncertain future at Al Ahly.
The winger, though, insisted that he has no mental issues and stated that he was disappointed to be left out, which in return caused Broos to praise his attitude but he didn’t change the stance on his reasoning.
“I think first of all, the player knows why he’s not with us. He knows, it is no problem. I told him, it’s no problem,” Broos told journalists.
“That he doesn’t agree, that’s another thing, and it’s a good thing, because that means that he wants to play for Bafana Bafana.
“But he has to understand also, and he can tell me what he wants, I know what he gets from criticism after a Bafana Bafana game – don’t tell me it doesn’t affect you. Don’t tell me that.
“I have experience. I have been criticised also as a player, also as a coach. You can say, yeah, no, no, but here still it stays here.
“And the situation in Al Ahly, you don’t have to tell me that the situation is clear. It’s not clear. It’s not clear! He didn’t play for the last four weeks. There is a problem with the coach. So I know it, and it’s not because I read it in the paper.
“So I don’t think, I don’t think for those important games and those very intensive games that Percy will be mentally ready for them, and he knows that.
“But I don’t have a problem that the player is not agreeing with what I’m telling him, on the opposite, I think that’s a very good mentality showing ‘But no, I want to be with Bafana Bafana’. and he will be with us again when things are clear.
“So I don’t think directly now that there is still a problem in October, we will see.”
