Following Bernard Parker’s step up to the helm at TS Galaxy, club captain Mlungisi Mbunjana has revealed how the retired marksman’s Kaizer Chiefs history is fueling the squad.
Parker took over the coaching job at Galaxy last week after they parted ways with head coach Adnan Beganovic due to a dip in form in the Betway Premiership.
The former Bafana Bafana international was roped in to lead Galaxy for the remainder of the season, having served as the assistant coach of the club under Beganovic.
Under Beganovic this season, Galaxy have struggled for a consistent winning form, particularly in the second round of the campaign after losing nine of their 10 games.
After collecting only one point in 2026 in the league, Galaxy’s president Tim Sukazi relieved the 43-year-old mentor of his duties as the club is hovering around the relegation zone. They sit 12th on the log with 26 points after 26 games, maintaining a six-point cushion over basement dwellers Orbit College FC.
Despite the club’s struggles in the Premiership, Beganovic steered them to the Nedbank Cup final; now, Parker has the assignment of lifting the trophy when Galaxy face Durban City FC at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Parker has already sat in the dugout when Galaxy played to a goalless draw against Magesi FC in the Premiership last weekend. With the retired forward eyeing history to win his first silverware as a top-flight coach, Mbunjana is banking on the coach’s experience at Chiefs during his playing days to inspire the club.
HOW MBUNJANA IS USING PARKER’S EXPERIENCE TO LEAD TS GALAXY
Parker spent 11 seasons with Amakhosi after playing for the club between 2011 and 2022. He made over 350 appearances for Chiefs across all competitions, scoring 61 goals and providing 40 assists while also winning several major trophies, including two league titles in the 2012/13 and 2014/15 seasons.
“I think I’m fortunate enough to have someone like Bernard; he has been the captain for Kaizer Chiefs and played for so many years, and he was dominating,” Mbunjana said.
“So I try to take from him as much as possible. I take some leadership qualities from him, and I get advice on things that he has done in his career. And I share that information with the youngsters [at TS Galaxy] – I think we’ve been together for a season, and some of them are two seasons.
“So they are still learning, but they are people that are willing to listen and willing to learn, but we are just trying to help [the youngsters] as much as we can.”
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