Mosimane says he thought that Tau would win the award last season, but admitted it might have been too early for the player. Lebogang Manyama, who has joined Turkish outfit Konyanspor from Cape Town City, claimed the accolade in 2016/17 and Mosimane feels this time it could be the turn of Tau to walk away with the big prize.
Tau was nominated for the Players’ Player of the season gong and it went to Manyama.
“My next mission is to make Percy Tau the player of the year, that’s what I want. We thought it would happen [last season], but it was a bit too early.
“When we recruited Khama [Billiat], I said ‘we want to make you player of the year’. That was my mission. Denis [Onyango] was the player of the year in Africa [for players based on the continent],” the former Bafana Bafana coach said.
“When I came here, I asked where is he [Onyango]. They said he is on loan at Wits. I said ‘what? Bring him back’. Rama [Mphahlele] was on loan to Tuks. I said ‘where is he? What? Bring him back’. Where are they now? They are playing for their national teams. Those are the things that bring me joy.”
Mosimane would also love to see the players he recently promoted to the first team, striker Keletso Makgalwa and the versatile Thendo Mukumela, making good progress.
The two players have already represented the country at junior level, but Mosimane sees bigger things for them in future.
“I want to see Keletso making the first team of Sundowns, to see Thendo making his debut for Bafana. That will make me happy.”