Parker extends contract

pictured,

BERNARD PARKER, is confident that his wealth of experience and dedication to Kaizer Chiefs has been the X-factor that has seen his stay at Naturena extended.

On Wednesday, Parker added a year to his already eight-year-stint at the club, and he also has an optional year to make that a decade.

It’s been a tenure of mixed fortunes though, as the first four years were of terrific success where he won two Absa Premierships titles and two domestic competitions – the Nedbank Cup and MTN8.

Moreover, those trophies were an addition to the bagful of silverware from the success that he’s had at international level with Red Star Belgrade (Serbia), FC Twente (Holland) and Panserraikos (Greece).

On the other hand, the second half of his stay at Chiefs has been nothing short of pain and misery – they are enduring a three-and-a-half-year barren spell, which is a shocking return for the club that’s known as the “Cup Kings of South African Football”.

“I am very happy that the club has continued my stay here.

“Being at Kaizer Chiefs for this long has been the highlight of my career, and I’ve always donned the jersey and played with my heart on my sleeve,”Parker told the media at the Village yesterday.

“I’ve never looked anywhere else (since returning to the PSL). With the coach admiring my greatness as a player, with my leadership qualities and experience of having played at the highest level in the European Champions League and Europa League, and in Holland winning the league and Super Cup, that’s how important I am to the club.

“I’d like to thank him and the club for believing in me.”

Realistically, the only way Parker and his teammates can return the faith shown in them by the management is to produce results on the field.

Their true character will be tested tomorrow when they meet bottomof-the-table side Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium.

Both teams are high on confidence after their previous wins against Highlands Park and AmaZulu respectively, but their fortunes will be determined by the one who wants it more.

Will it be the title aspirants or the club looking to save themselves from destruction?