Bafana Bafana fans are upset by the news that Percy Tau will be sidelined for upcoming matches. Head coach Hugo Bruce explained that the difficult decision was made out of the need to protect Percy Tau's mental health following relentless negativity online.
Percy Tau has been a key player and an inspirational leader since joining the Bafana team under coach Bruce. However, his performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has put him at the center of harsh criticism on social media.
“First of all, let's say at the end of AFCON, Percy Tau was mentally broken, really broken. He had a lot of critics. It was unfair,” Bruce explained. . “You know social media can kill people.”
coach's call
The coach detailed how these attacks affected Percy Tau, prompting the Blues to dissuade him from participating in friendlies. “[…] If you come to a friendly and have a bad game, you'll start playing again,'' Bruce told Tau.
The Bulls made the tough decision knowing their team would suffer without Percy Tau. However, his top priority is the health of his players. “That's why Percy Tau isn't with us. We don't want to kill him. After AFCON, that was enough,” Bruce stressed.
Percy Tau and the future of Bafana
While Tau's absence is a setback for Bafana Bafana's short-term goals, it highlights growing concerns about the negative impact of social media on athletes. The Bulls hope to see a refreshed and rejuvenated Percy Tau back on the pitch by June.
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