Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says rising star Keletso Makgalwa reminds him of a young Percy Tau.

The 22-year-old came off the bench and played a crucial role in helping Sundowns secure a 3-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN8 quarter-finals on Saturday.

Ndumiso Mabena gave the visitors the lead from a free kick, but goals from Themba Zwane, Mosa Lebusa and Makgalwa guided the Brazilians into the final four.

Mosimane heaped praise on the winger following his impressive performance in the top-eight competition, while comparing him to a young Percy Tau, who is lighting up the Belgium top flight.

‘Ja, unbelievable, hey. He reminds me of Percy when he was coming up‚ and we gave him a chance and he took the opportunity‚’ Mosimane said after the game.

‘And it’s good. Last week I saw the boy‚ the right back [Gregory Damons] who had been playing in the MDC [reserve league]‚ get man of the match. This week it’s our MDC boy who came up.

‘I was a little bit disappointed when [Maritzburg United coach] Eric Tinkler returned him‚ and felt that he was not the right player [on loan‚ where Makgalwa played last season‚ but not retained].

‘If you remember the match where we played against Maritzburg‚ where as a winger he gave Ricardo Nascimento such problems.

‘I was just surprised. But these things do happen. I said‚ “I need to keep him.” He had a brilliant pre-season.

‘And these things come up when you don’t have your normal players. We had nine players not available in the pre-season – the six who were in the Africa Cup of Nations and with Emiliano Tade‚ Gaston Sirino and Mauricio Affonso injured.

‘It gave him a chance. I felt he must play on the wing‚ but today I changed it. I felt‚ no‚ he must play as a “nine”.

‘And we pushed Lebo [Maboe] to the wing.

‘So [on Saturday] we can look brilliant‚ especially with the subs – I brought them right. But it’s lessons learned from last week [where Chippa United fought back late to 1-1] of doing it right,’ he concluded.

Mamelodi Sundowns are set to welcome Cape Town City to the Lucas Moripe Stadium in the Absa Premiership on Tuesday, with kick-off set for 7:30pm.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix