Percy Tau relishing the tussle against Al Ahly teammates at AFCON

Speaking to the media on the last day of their training camp in Stellenbosch yesterday, Tau says he’s expecting a strong challenge from Dieng, who could start on the bench when Bafana take on the Les Aigles (The Eagles) of Mali at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo next Tuesday.

Tau promises to challenge his Red Devils teammates in Group E.

READ: Danny Jordaan backtracks on Bafana Bafana's AFCON $7 million bonus comment

"Ya, it's gonna be interesting to face Dieng and Maloul but then hopefully I'll be smiling after the game. I'll challenge them of course and I know they'll also try to do the same but then like I said I've got confidence in the guys and they'll help me so I can smile after the game," Tau said.

Meanwhile, Tau has also commented on the signing of the bonus structure agreement with the South African Football Association (SAFA).

As one of the signatories in that contract, the former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker says this agreement was not only about money.

"Ya, look we are happy that we were able to finalise everything. I don't think the money was the only issue, there were other issues that we had to sort out and we are happy that everything was sorted out and now we just want to focus on football," Tau added.

Bafana wrapped up their preparations in the Western Cape yesterday and will this morning head back to Gauteng, where they play Lesotho in a training match behind the closed doors at Lucas Moripe Stadium tomorrow, ahead of their departure on Thursday. 

Tau is one of only three players (Ronwen Williams and Themba Zwane) from this 23-man squad, who was in the last AFCON Bafana Bafana qualified for in Egypt 2019.

He was asked what kind of messaging he has been sharing with the team, and if he’s feeling a little bit of pressure as one of the experienced players in this Hugo Broos squad.

"Not yet, not yet, the only thing that we say to them is that it's gonna be difficult, it's not gonna be easy but then that's all that we've told them at the moment. Of course, when we get to Ivory Coast there will be more meetings about us being there and also the teams we gonna face.

“So, I think when we arrive that side we'll share more about the tournament. I think we all share the same responsibilities. I've been here for some time but then when I was here also, my first few caps, the other guys also shared the knowledge that they had. So, it helped me also. I'm also trying to do the same to say they also have a part to play and I also have a part to play."