Percy Tau banking on international experience at Bafana Bafana to handle AFCON expectations

Speaking at the match day minus one press conference, ahead of tonight’s opening 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) game against Mali, Tau has reflected that the majority of players in this team have been at junior or senior international level and know what is expected in these kinds of assignments.

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"I think it's difficult to play away because there's traveling involved and you also have to climatise to the weather, the food, the people, the training pitches but I think we've handled that pretty well. I mean most of the squad is now used to travelling and playing outside the country, so, those that are in South Africa, don't know what we are going through,” Tau said.

“I think we've handled everything quite well and we are looking forward to the games, the pitch is great, we saw it today in the morning and then we are playing against a difficult side. Our group is difficult, we still have Namibia and Tunisia also, so we are looking forward to all those matches but then we do believe in ourselves.

“We are not overconfident, we are grounded but that doesn't take away that we believe we can do something special. We want to do something special, that's the bottom line."

With Mali having won both previous encounters at the AFCON against Bafana Bafana, Tau knows that it will take something special tonight to topple The Eagles.

With his teammate at Al Ahly and close buddy Aiou Dieng on the opposite side, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Brighton and Holve Albion attacker expects a competitive game.

"Look, I think it's gonna be a difficult game. I think the Mali team is good and there are some familiar faces in the team that I know. So, I think it's gonna be a difficult game. You guys [Mali] also want good results, we also want good results in the game."