Despite an uncertain future amid links with other clubs including Kaizer Chiefs, "indispensable" Percy Tau has now come in for some high praise ahead of Al Ahly's CAF Champions League final this weekend.
On Saturday night, the Red Devils will take on Esperance Sportive de Tunis in the second leg of the tie that will determine who will be crowned champions of the continent at the Cairo International Stadium.
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Both sides will feel as though they have a chance at victory after the first leg ended in a goalless draw.
While the former Mamelodi Sundowns star was criticised by former Al Ahly star Amr Anwar for his performance din that tie, he has now been backed to put in a good second-leg showing.
Speaking ahead of the game, ex-Egypt and Zamalek defender Beshir El Tabei stated that the South African "transforms" in certain encounters, and expects him to do so once again this weekend.
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"Percy Tau's crisis is that he is a temperamental player, but he will appear well in the next match," the former centre-back, said per Masr Times.
"There are matches in which the player transforms, and for this reason he gains the trust of his coach [Marcel] Koller.
"He is indispensable in the Al Ahly squad and at times he bites like a snake.
"He is one of the players that I fear, and he always favours Al Ahly in some matches."
With the Red Devils vying to get their hands on a 12th CAFCL title, El Tabei also expressed his belief that they are favourites to win, but insisted they have to score early to ensure they get the better of their Tunisian opponents.
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"Al Ahly has to score early in the first 20 minutes, and if they scores two goals in the first half, the title will be officially decided, and the most important thing is that there is a state of concentration in ending the attacks well in order to score goals," he added.
Tau, whose deal in Cairo is understood to be scheduled to conclude in June 2025, is currently in the midst of a contract saga of sorts as he is in discussions with Al Ahly to potentially extend his deal, although there are other teams to believed to be after his services, including the DStv Premiership's Kaizer Chiefs.
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