The nerves of steel for Percy Tau as he also celebrates Themba Zwane the Maestro

The Bafana Bafana vice-captain did not hesitate at the Amadou Gin Coulibaly Stadium in Khorogo when he took the 14th-minute penalty and sent Lloyd Kazapua the wrong way, a goal that set the tone for the 4-0 drubbing of the neighbours. 

Tau has also thanked his teammates for rallying him during this time.

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"They were disappointed because they thought I was gonna score. So, ya, it was not nice because they gave me the responsibility and when I missed it was like, Ahh, I could have scored that one, I could have changed the game but then they understand that it happens sometimes, its football,” said Tau.

“I've been playing for my country for some time and I think I've given the country so much more. It's nice to rectify the mistake," Tau said.

It was the first time in 25 years since Bafana Bafana had last scored four goals or more at the AFCON tournament and back then, Namibia was on the receiving end as they lost 4-1 to Benni McCarthy’s four goals in Burkina Faso. 

Tau says this was also a massive confidence booster and has hailed the important contribution of veteran attacker Themba “Mshishi” Zwane, who scored a brace.

"Very important, we needed the goals and also not to concede, it's also important for us not to concede. We are happy with him [Themba Zwane], he's a great player and we are glad that we are with him and he's shining here. We still gonna have him for the next few games, hopefully, we'll go far in this tournament with him and he'll keep on shining," Tau added.

Individually, the game had different demands from Tau last night as he was operating more on the wing and had lots of defensive duties to carry, with four defensive actions and five ball recoveries. 

Winning six duels and losing just eight, also talks more to his role in this game. Offensively he was not sleeping either, with two chances created and a goal from the penalty spot. 

The reigning CAF inter-club player of the year and Al Ahly’s trusted attacker is happy to grow as the tournament progresses.

"Also, for an individual, I think it's getting better. It's not where I want but then now look, it's different demands. So, sometimes it's also difficult to judge the performances individually. I'll be happy if I go up like this. If I grow in the tournament, I'll be so happy."