Pitso Mosimane has made a strong statement, explaining why joining Al Ahly from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion would not be a downgrade for Percy Tau.
The South African coach has made the former Mamelodi Sundowns player his main target at the Egyptian giants this window.
With rumours of Tau’s move to Al Ahly intensifying, Mosimane has insisted the Bafana Bafana international should join his side because he is not getting enough game time at Brighton & Hove Albion.
‘Jingles’ also addressed talks that a move back to Africa would be a ‘downgrade’, explaining how big Al Ahly are and that Tau could show his qualities at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup instead of sitting on the bench in the Premier League.
“Percy has been in Europe, it’s his fourth year and let’s be honest we haven’t seen Percy play,” he told Cassper Nyovest in an Instagram Live chat.
“We have seen Percy play football in Belgium and Belgian teams, even in South Africa we can compete with them, and Al Ahly can beat Belgian teams, let’s be honest.
“If Al Ahly can go toe to toe with Bayern, and it takes 75 minutes before they score a goal against Al Ahly, it means we are a credible team.
“If Al Ahly can be the third-biggest team in the world, in the world and beat the South American team that represents the whole of South America (Palmeiras), then Al Ahly is a good team.
“But Percy hasn’t played football. Percy is 28 now. Do you want Percy to retire without playing football? Then we have the tag of him playing in the EPL. He is not playing in the EPL! They keep loaning him out. They have a pre-season now and they are playing friendly games.
“So, Percy has to decide whether he’s gonna retire without playing football because for me the last time he played football was at Mamelodi Sundowns and I was with him.
“He has to decide if he wants to play football but first he must look after the finances. If he can get the same money that he gets in the EPL, if he can get it at Al Ahly, then he can be the King of the Jungle.
“He is not showing people what he is capable, he is about to retire at 28. So those things are important. People are saying he is ‘downgrading’ and so on, but he is not playing!
“For me, I would like Percy to come here, any coach would like Percy to come in Africa. Let him come and play Club World Cup against Bayern, let him dribble Bayern.
“Let him come and play in CAF Super Cup, let him dribble. Percy is a showman, he is like Messi, he’s got so much to show you. Every week he has got something to show.
“Yes, I’d like to sign Percy, if Brighton agree to see Percy.”
