Percy Tau and his Egyptian club Al Ahly on Monday tie up their boots for the Fifa Club World Cup semi-final clash against Fluminense.
Kick-off a the King Abdullah Sport City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is at 8pm.
Al Ahly are now one step closer to the world title after dismantling a star-studded Al Ittihad 3-1 on Friday.
The African champions produced a composed performance to overwhelm the Saudi hosts, who boasted an array of global superstars including Karim Benzema and Fabinho.
After Ali Maaloul’s penalty put Ahly ahead, goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy emerged as the early hero by saving a Benzema spot-kick on the stroke of half-time.
Hussein Elshahat then curled home a delightful second goal, before Emam Ashour capped a slick counter to put the tie beyond doubt.
The Egyptian side controlled the match from the start and it came as no surprise when they took the lead midway through the first half when striker Ali Maaloul converted a penalty after Hassan Kadesh was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Maaloul sent goalkeeper Abdullah Almayouf the wrong way, striking the ball straight down the middle.
Al Ittihad had the chance to equalise before half-time when they were awarded a penalty of their own after Mohamed Abdelmoneim was penalised for handball.
But legendary Al Ahly keeper Elshenawy flung himself to his right to deny Benzema from the spot.
Elshenawy was called into action again early in the second period, tipping Faisal Alghamdi’s shot onto the post.
Al Ahly then doubled their lead on 59 minutes courtesy of a delightful curling effort from Hussein Elshahat.
Good news for Bafana Bafana
Just three minutes later it was 3-0. Ashour capped a slick counter-attacking move to put the result beyond doubt.
Ittihad star Benzema grabbed a last-minute consolation from close range for his sixth Club World Cup goal.
But it mattered little as Al Ahly comfortably held on to seal their place in the last four.
They will now go into Monday’s semi-final against the Brazil and South American club champions, Fluminense, brimming with confidence after this statement victory over one of Asia’s leading club sides.
And as for South Africa, the country’s interest in the current edition of the Fifa Club World Cup lies with the exploit of Percy Tau. The Al Ahly and Bafana Bafana forward is enjoying a successful run of his football career. Earlier this week, Tau was named Men’s Inter-Club Player of the Year at the CAF awards. The annual awards for African football were held in Marrakesh, Morocco. on Monday night.
Tau became the first South African to win the award given to a player who excelled in a season of CAF’s club championships.Â
And as for South Africa, a vibrant Percy Tau is what the country wants as Bafana Bafana seek to revive their Afcon fortunes in Ivory Coast in January. – Cafonline and Sunday World reporter
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