Gor Mahia’s CAF Champions League nemesis Percy Tau demands Ksh77 million from Al Ahly amid contract drama

South African winger is reported to have turned down a settlement offer from as he seeks the full $600,000 (Ksh77 million) owed to him in his contract with the Egyptian football giants.

Tau, whose current deal with the holders runs until June 2025, has found himself on the fringes of the squad this season.

The 29-year-old has only clocked 11 minutes in the Egyptian Premier League under coach Marcel Koller, fueling speculation about an imminent departure.

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The lack of game time has also drawn criticism from South Africa’s national team manager Hugo Broos, who has urged Tau to find a club where he can play regularly and revive his international career.

In an effort to facilitate his exit, Al Ahly reportedly proposed a mutual termination agreement offering Tau $300,000 (approximately Ksh38 million).

This would have allowed him to leave the Cairo-based club in January as a free agent, potentially opening up a foreign player slot for the team to reinforce their squad.

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However, according to reports from Egyptian publication KingFut, Tau rejected the offer, insisting on the original $600,000 (Ksh77 million) stipulated in his contract.

The impasse has raised questions about Tau’s future at the club. Having joined Al Ahly in 2021 from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported €1.8 million (Ksh288 million), Tau was initially seen as a marquee signing.

Over his two years with the team, he has made significant contributions, scoring 29 goals and providing 13 assists in 117 appearances across all competitions.

His efforts have helped Al Ahly secure an impressive 11 trophies, including two CAF Champions League titles.

Despite these achievements, Tau’s relationship with the club appears to have soured. His lack of playing time and the recent settlement dispute have cast a shadow over his tenure in Egypt.

While Al Ahly’s offer aimed to resolve the situation amicably, Tau’s refusal to accept anything less than the full amount he is owed underscores his determination to protect his financial interests.

Tau’s reduced role at Al Ahly has had ripple effects on his international career. South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has left the winger out of recent Bafana Bafana squads, citing his limited minutes at club level as a concern.

Broos has publicly called on Tau to prioritize a move to a team where he can consistently feature, warning that his absence from the national setup could extend if he remains on the sidelines.

A potential January departure could open doors for Tau to join a new club and reignite his career.

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The winger, who made a name for himself at Mamelodi Sundowns before moving to Europe, has been linked with a return to South Africa, while other African and European teams are reportedly monitoring his situation.

If Tau and Al Ahly fail to reach a resolution, the standoff could drag into the January transfer window, limiting the club’s ability to plan for the second half of the season.

Meanwhile, Tau’s insistence on receiving his full Ksh77 million sends a clear message about his value and resolve.

For fans, Tau’s saga is a reminder of the high stakes in modern football contracts, where even mutual separations can become multimillion-shilling battles.

Whether Tau leaves Al Ahly in January or later, one thing is clear: the «Lion of Judah» is not willing to back down.