Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane believes that midfielder Percy Tau has already done enough to have earned the player of the year award, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday building up to the Nedbank Cup quarter-final between Sundowns and Cape Town City, the former Bafana Bafana coach reserved special praise for his star player, ‘For us, Tau is performing. I mean he’s got assists‚ he scores.

‘I don’t know how you look at it because I was listening to SuperSport 4 two weeks ago. What is this‚ on Monday – Extra Time? People were campaigning for who’s going to be coach of the year – busy‚ busy‚ busy. People were campaigning for who’s going to be player of the year. Unbelievable – people have got agendas‚ it’s not funny.

‘For me‚ you can’t compare Percy to anybody. Give it to him. He’s playing Champions League and scoring. He’s scoring for Bafana. He’s scoring in the league‚ he’s scoring in the Nedbank Cup. Every time he scores. Who do you want to compare him to? No‚ let’s be honest.

‘And people are saying that‚ “Whoever must also be…”. Okay‚ you can have nominees. Okay‚ that’s good. Just give it to Percy‚ please. He’s playing for your country, man. He’s doing it at the highest level‚ week in and week out‚ every three days‚ running‚ playing the same level.’

Speaking on the other teams in the league and comparing them to the Brazilians, the 2016 Caf coach of the year highlighted the number of games that Tau has played as a determining factor, ‘You can’t compare it to well-rested teams. No ways. Get the same stress‚ run the same race. You can’t study mathematics at lower grade and then you want to compare the person who’s studying on higher grade. No. What is that?’ concluded Mosimane.

Sundowns will do battle against Cape Town City on Sunday in the Nedbank Cup quarter-final at Cape Town Stadium.