Mosimane ready to lose Tau but not Billiat

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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed that he is preparing for the loss of Percy Tau to Europe but remains hopeful of retaining Khama Billiat.

Tau stole the show at last night’s PSL Awards by winning the Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and the Absa Premiership Top Goalscorer awards.

Media representatives present at the awards revealed Mosimane believes that Tau needs to make the move to Europe, saying there has been contact with clubs for Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and even the Premier League.

Previously, Mosimane had conceded that he could lose his star man in this transfer window.

‘It is not up to me, let’s be realistic. He has done very well and we should expect somebody from Europe,’ Mosimane said.

‘There are talks already. I’m preparing that I’m losing him. It is going to be tough for us.

‘But as I say always, tough when you lose ‘CBD’ and all that, we continued. We lost [Elias] Pelembe, Surprise [Moriri]. You lose [Katlego] Mphela – key players.

‘Alje Schut was a captain and pillar of strength. But we have to replace [players who leave].’

The 2016 Caf Coach of the Year, however, is not ready to make the same admission about Billiat, whose contract expires at the end of June.

‘I will do my best. If I don’t sign Khama, it is because he got a better offer somewhere. We can’t let [him] go, he has been an important guy. I mean how many games has he played? He has been injured but look at the goals he scored – eight.

‘It is important. This season was like his first, he was forever injured. He has been having injuries but you know when he comes in, he scores the most important goals.

‘Against Cape Town City it was a good, big goal. The goal he scored against Ajax Cape Town an equaliser, it brings you back. Very important, he scored in important games.

‘He has been with us for long and sometimes you have to accept that they have to go, especially when they get good offers. But we have treated him so well.’

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

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Dean Workman