Percy Tau assists on strong Nam Dinh debut

South Africa international and former Al Ahly forward Percy Tau enjoyed a winning debut with Vietnamese club Nam Dinh on Wednesday in the AFC Champions League 2.

A half-volley, but 💯% conviction!

🇻🇳 Nam Dinh FC’s Brenner gives it everything!#ACLTwo | #NDIvRAT pic.twitter.com/znGVJAWXx8

— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) September 17, 2025

The Bafana Bafana attacker was given the start and provided an assist on the match-winning goal for Nam Dinh in a 3-1 home victory over Thai club Ratchaburi. Nam Dinh’s victory kicked off their continental campaign in Asia’s second tier continental tournament with three points in Group F.

With the match level at 1-1 early in the second half, the former Mamelodi Sundowns star reacted quickly when the ball went out of play to receive a throw-in close to the end line. Tau’s looped a cross in to find Brazilian forward Brenner for the first of his two second half goals to make the difference for Nam Dinh.

Tau gained fitness in a friendly match during a two-week break between matches for Nam Dinh that stretched from the end of August until a 0-0 V.League 1 match against Cong An Ho Chi Minh City FC on Saturday. He was not named to the squad for the league match but is now available during a busy stretch for his new club.

Upcoming schedule for Percy Tau and Nam Dinh

Nam Dinh will return to V.League action on Monday before taking part in another competition, the ASEAN Club Championship, next Thursday. The club are currently in fourth place through four rounds in the Vietnamese top flight, where Nam Dinh have won the last two league titles.

Tau joined the club along with countryman Njabulo Blom in August after cutting ties with Qatar SC. He was not called into the South Africa national team for September’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches but started Bafana Bafana’s two matches in March, victories against Benin and Lesotho.