Time Chiefs woke up at home – Parker

VETERAN Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker has sent his teammate a wake-up call message as they still search for their first victory at home this season.

Amakhosi will battle it out against Free State Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow at 6pm. Chiefs have triumphed on three occasion in the league this season. All these victories have been on the road.

The first victory came against Cape Town City. The two other victories were against Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium in Petermaritzburg, and at Loftus Versfeld against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chiefs have struggled this season at home, where they have attained three points out of a possible 15. Those points came in stalemates against Wits, Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates.

The other two matches at home have been defeats against SuperSport United and Baroka FC. Chiefs have also conceded more goals at home than on the road. They have let in five goals in five matches at home and scored three goals. Chiefs have kept only kept two clean-sheets in five matches.

Parker has vowed to change the bad fortunes at home, starting with the game against Free State Stars.

“It is a worrying factor. Every team that comes to us wants to prove the point. They want to show their “A-game”. We need to wake up. It is our third season now without a trophy,” said Parker.

“We need to wake up and it is about time. Not only our quality and our talent. It all about our effort, attitude and our minds. If we can lift that a little bit, no team can stop us. We are beating ourselves because we allow other teams to overpower us” Parker explained.

In contrast to their fortunes at home, Chiefs have collected 12 points from a possible 18 on the road.

They’ve also kept the most clean-sheets away from home – four in six matches.

“Our coach, the technical staff and players we are well aware that our home record has not been what is expected of us. Our supporters in Durban always play a big role in our performances.

“We are back at our ‘home away from home’ tomorrow. Mabhida is our happy ‘away’ home ground. Hopefully things will work out for us.

“Last time we lost to Baroka. They wanted it more. We were a little on the back foot. They overpowered us with their energy. It was a big learning curve for us. From there on we have stepped up a gear.

“We want to live up to expectations at Mabhida,” said Parker.

Free State Stars have improved under coach Luc Eymael.

“Free State Stars are looking more lively. They are looking more positive. You can see their energy and the way they have been playing. We are aware that they haven’t played in quite some time. They are fresher than us andthey will be more energetic,” said Parker.

“We have to stay calm now and level-headed and try and play fast. We need maturity in our fast play. I believe that can change the results. The work ethic, commitment and heart is there. It is matter of using the mind more in our attacking play. We have to support and motivate one another and create more.

“We need creativity and always to play our ‘A-game’,” Parker stated.

Chiefs are sixth on the log. They have amassed 15 points in 11 matches. Only three points separate Amakhosi from log-leaders Baroka.