Percy Tau explains his bold penalty decision after Mali heartbreak

Bafana Bafana star Percy Tau has shed light on why he embraced the responsibility of taking another crucial penalty amidst lingering thoughts of his previous miss.

In the wake of a missed penalty in Bafana’s 2023 AFCON opener against Mali in Group E last Tuesday, Tau faced immense pressure. Yet, in the following match, when they locked horns with Namibia, he stepped up without hesitation to take another penalty.

This time around, with unwavering confidence, Tau sent the ball sailing into the net, silencing doubts after ballooning the ball over the bar when Bafana lost 2-0 against Mali.

After the Al Ahly attacker Tau calmly converted the penalty, Themba Zwane completed his brace before Thapelo Maseko scored as Bafana hammered neighbours Namibia to register their biggest win margin at AFCON.

The 4-0 win saw Bafana reignite their hopes of qualifying for the AFCON Round of 16, putting them level with the Brave Warriors on three points after two games. Mali are at the summit of Group E with four points, and Tunisia are at the bottom with one point ahead of the final group matches on Wednesday.

Tau on why he never hesitated to take penalty after heartbreaking miss

“No, I didn’t think twice [taking the penalty again] because I mean it is nice also to rectify the mistake,” Tau told FARPost.

“It was not nice to lose the first game. We had hoped that we would start on a high. But this is a tournament, and it happens that sometimes things don’t go your way. I’m just happy that we managed to bounce back, get a win, and not concede.

“My performance is getting better, it is not where I want it, but there are different demands… I would be happy if my performance would go fly high, and if I grow in the tournament, I will be so happy.”

The former Brighton and Mamelodi Sundowns star admitted that his Bafana teammates were crestfallen after he squandered the golden spot-kick opportunity.

However, Tau insisted that the one mistake – penalty miss doesn’t erase the dedication and passion he brings to every match for Bafana.

“They [teammates] were disappointed because they thought I was going to score,” he said. “So it was not nice because they gave me the responsibility.

“And when I missed it, it’s like: ‘Ah, he could have scored that one, could have changed the game.’ But they understand that it happens sometimes. It is football. I mean I have been playing for my country for some time now and I think I have given the country so much more than the missed penalty.”

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