Parker brushes off criticism from impatient fans
I’ve always added value to the team’
One of the main scapegoats for Kaizer Chiefs ’ prolonged trophy-drought, Bernard Parker, is glossing over the criticism the Amakhosi faithful have been subjecting him to.
The 34-year-old Parker, alongside other senior players such asWillard Katsande and Mulomowandau Mathoho, have always attracted derision, with many supporters feeling they ’ re now dead wood, having been there asAmakhosi failed to win a cup in five years.
Speaking yesterday in a virtual media conference to preview their league opener against champions Mamelodi Sundowns atFNB Stadiumtomorrow (3.30pm), Parker acknowledged that he ’ s hardly received love from the Amakhosi supporters, insisting he never pays attention to the naysayers.
Since I joined Kaizer Chiefs 10 years ago, till today, I ’ ve always been adding my value to the team, but never been a favourite. But I have always been a team player, with my work rate, with my versatility my intelligence and everything I give to the team,’’ said Parker.
Most of the people don ’ t see that. People that have been in the game, people that know football and the coaches, they can identify the quality between players.”
Despite all the negative views, Parker has always been a regular. The lad from Boksburg credits his hard-work for his ability to get enough game time. It ’ s by no mistake or it ’ s by no favour or by no muthi or whatever that I play for Chiefs. I work hard.’’
Under the previous coach, Ernst Middendorp, Parker played all sorts of awkward positions, mainly as a deep-lying midfielder. In last week ’ s 2-1 win overMaritzburg United in the MTN8, Parker played in a more advanced position and excelled.
I am playing now in my familiar role that I have been playing throughoutmy career, No.10, supplying and also linking the play between midfield and attack. It ’ s been working, not only forme but also for the other guys as well,’’ Parker stated.
The coach [ Gavin Hunt] wants everybody to play according to his strength, and on my side, it ’ s been working and I just want to give the best to the team.’’
Having missed the Maritzburg clash through suspension, tomorrow Chiefs will have Lebogang Manyama and Katsande available for selection, alongside Siphelele Ntshangase, who returns from injury.
Having made good signings recently, AmaZulu are now targeting a top-four finish in the DStv Premiership this season.
Usuthu have brought Augustine Mulenga, Luvuyo Memela, veteran Siphiwe Tshabalala and Siphelele Mthembu, among other players, ahead of the new season.
Goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha feels with the squad they have assembled, they can finish in the top four.
They will open their campaign against Orlando Pirates at Kings Park Stadium tomorrow(8.15pm). “I think it is good signings all-round. The more the club has quality players, the better it is for us as a team to achieve our goal,” Mbatha told Sowetan yesterday.
Our goals have been made and are out there for everyone to see what wewant to achieve. We want to achieve a top-four finish, meaning you need to have quality players all-round.
Those who are playing and those who are not must be of great quality so that if one is injured or suspended, whoever comes in knows that it is time to work.”
AmaZulu are known for fighting relegation every season, but the 31-year-old said thosedays aregoneas theywill be competing for titles.
Mbatha also highlighted the importance of starting the season well with a victory against the Buccaneers.
It is a big game and what makes it even bigger for us is not thatwe are playing Pirates, but that we want to start the season on a high,” Mbatha said. “We must not find ourselves in a similar position as last season, where we started poorly and ended up playing catch-up. ”
Afterwatching Pirates in action lastweekend against Cape Town City, where Bucs won 1-0, Mbatha feels it is an advantage for them as they know what to expect.
“They are a good team and they run for each other. Pirates have a structure butwe are not worried about them.
“I think throughout the season that I have been here, every time we play the socalled big teams, we always rise to the occasion. We have players who do not shy away when it comes to big games.”