Bafana Bafana had to do the business against Zimbabwe in a FIFA World Cup qualifier without Percy Tau owing to injury, with some deeming it a blessing in disguise following his underwhelming display against Nigeria, and now his former coach Pitso Mosimane has weighed in on the debate.
Tau was criticized in the 1-1 draw against Nigeria in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo last Friday after he missed what appeared to be a sitter in the second half.
The Al Ahly forward has been under pressure in the Bafana Bafana shirt, even during the Africa Cup of Nations tournament, where he has not performed according to the expectations of many.
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Broos even omitted the 30-year-old from his squad in the FIFA Series post AFCON, as he suggested he was shielding him from criticism.
The Belgian tactician faced calls from the public to drop Tau for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, and when he did not appear in the starting line-up, many thought the coach had heeded those pleas.
However, it was revealed the speedy player had, in fact, suffered an injury, hence Oswin Appollis came on in his place as the only alteration from the line-up against the Super Eagles.
Mosimane says he would not have seen anything wrong with 'The Lion of Judah' being benched for a mistake and but backed him to bounce back.
"Well, we have to be honest, as much as Percy played well, he missed the biggest opportunity that could have given us a good advantage [against Nigeria]," Mosimane said on Metro FM Sports.
"And there's nothing wrong to substitute and put somebody else to do it. It's football. But football has taught me many things, that the same guy who missed can score the winning goal in the next match.
"It doesn't necessarily mean that because he missed an opportunity, then it means he cannot help. But Percy is Percy, he's got a strong mentality and he must also accept criticism when it is there, because criticism makes you stronger and better," he added.
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The win over the Warriors took Bafana up to second in Group C, equal on points with surprise leaders Rwanda, who have a superior goal difference, and also equal on points with third-placed Benin.
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