It's Percy Tau’s time now.
After being crowned Footballer of the Year at the PSL Awards this week, SA’s best player is next in line to go to Europe.
But is he ready? Is the 24-year-old ready to go to the big leagues and shine? Can he be Africa’s next Mo Salah?
Those are the questions facing the left-footer, whose game is more than slightly the same as the Egyptian Liverpool ace.
The path Tau is on now is well-trod. And it’s full of pitfalls.
Look at Lebogang Manyama last season. Star of the PSL, goes to Europe and disappears. Keagan Dolly, Thulani Serero, even Andile Jali are on their way back now.
Can Tau be different? His boss Pitso Mosimane thinks so.
And the reason Bra Jingles gives is that Tau has the drive to improve his game.
In Europe, it’s dog eat dog.
Percy Tau was the big winner at the PSL Awards. Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
And Tau must be up for the fight. He will have to adapt his game and he will have to find his niche.
With 13 goals and 16 assists for Downs this season, his numbers won’t impress.
But his game does. Always hungry for the ball, he takes on players and is always on the lookout for a teammate, while making himself available in dangerous areas.
His pace may not frighten his marker or even recovering defenders, but that positioning will.
Both hands full. Percy Tau at Tuesday night's PSL Awards. Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
And because of that lack of pace, he may have to play a deeper role and carve out a living as a David Silva clone.
For me, Tau seems more like the Spanish Manchester City playmaker than Salah and his opponent from two weeks ago, Lionel Messi.
While the bright lights of the Premier League and La Liga will be calling, I think the Bundesliga will suit a man who is just touching down in Europe.
The quality of coaching and competition is fantastic in Germany and at 24, he still has three seasons to hit his prime and lead Bafana Bafana to 2022 - 20 years after we last qualified for the global tournament.