TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi has made a bold claim regarding the club’s interim coach, Bernard Parker, ahead of the Nedbank Cup final this Saturday.
The Rockets are set to lock horns with Durban City FC in the final of the Ke Yona Cup at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00.
Parker, the former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs forward, took over the coaching reins in an interim capacity last week. This came after the sacking of head coach Adnan Beganovic and technical adviser Nermin Basic.
The Mpumalanga club officially confirmed the departure of the duo on Thursday, 23 April, following a poor run of form in the Betway Premiership. This was after the Rockets struggled to secure a single victory in 10 straight league outings under Beganovic’s tutelage.
BERNARD PARKER’S COACHING JOURNEY AT THE ROCKETS
Parker joined the TS Galaxy coaching staff in 2024, initially leading the club’s DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] side. His transition to the senior team setup came last season, when he stepped up after the club parted ways with Vuyo Mere, a member of the previous technical team.
The 38-year-old’s first assignment as the club’s interim coach was a 0-0 draw against Magesi FC in a Betway Premiership tie at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday, 26 April.
Currently, the side is placed 12th on the Betway Premiership log standings with 26 points from 26 matches.
‘SOUTH AFRICA HAS YET TO SEE THE BEST OF BERNARD PARKER’: TIM SUKAZI
Now, ahead of the club’s biggest game of the season, Sukazi has thrown his full weight behind the ‘Die Hond.’ He said that Parker will be the “commander” of TS Galaxy’s army heading into Saturday’s Nedbank Cup final, and that people will witness the best of him.
“Probably, South Africa has yet to see the best of Bernard Parker in his contribution to the game itself. That I can say without any fear or favour,” said Sukazi during Galaxy’s media open day at their training grounds in Southdale, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, 28 April.
“He’s someone that I know. We have come a long way during his playing days and certainly now at TS Galaxy as a player and a coach from the reserve side, as well as an assistant coach in the first team.
“It’s my best wish that our legends of the game, if possible, find opportunities within the game itself. More especially, people like Bernard Parker, who have served the game in such a [great] manner.”
‘WE BELIEVE STRONGLY IN HIS CAPABILITIES,’ SAYS TIM SUKAZI
Sukazi further emphasised that Parker’s coaching journey is only just beginning, despite the big responsibility of leading the team into a cup final.
“I feel so fortunate that at TS Galaxy, we managed to find room and space for him. Now, having had him in close proximity for three to four years, it says a lot that he has much to contribute to our game,” Sukazi added.
“He hasn’t started, to be honest. So, don’t be surprised by him being here now. He’s going to be the commander of our army as we enter the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. He has been given that task and responsibility without any doubts. As a club, we believe strongly in his capabilities and his future in the game; I think it’s bright.”
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