Ask a random Kaizer Chiefs fan who should be leaving next and they’re more than likely to say Bernard Parker’s name.
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KAIZER CHIEFS RELEASE EIGHT PLAYERS, PARKER SURVIVES
As The South African website reported this week, the mighty Amakhosi made their intentions clear. No less than eight footballers were shown out of the Naturena gate.
The list left millions of fans questioning why the 36-year-old Parker’s name was not included in the departing group.
Well, Parker carries a lot of value that is not easy to spot on the pitch.
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FIVE REASONS PARKER IS GOING NOWHERE
As fans, sometimes we need to be able to see things in perspective when everything is not going well or when the club make unpopular decisions.
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As the people that work closely with the players everyday, clubs know better than us.
Parker displays a burning passion for the club’s love and peace motto. Image: @SenzoSambo / Twitter
Here is why Parker is staying with the Soweto giants:
1. Carry club culture in the dressing room
You can always go ahead and sign all the exciting young talent the world has to offer, but you will always need one or two long-serving players to carry the club’s culture in the camp, especially at a club with a rich heritage like this one.
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2. Tactical wizard
Former club coach Ernst Middendorp revealed the reason why every coach has been picking the Boksburg-born Parker: Nobody in the Kaizer Chiefs team can translate and manage tactics on the pitch like ‘Die Hond.’
There have also been some confirmations from the club that Parker is a budding future coach who has already begun his studies.
3. Model professional
In a country that is subject to relentless ill-discipline among professional players at training and off the pitch, Parker is known as a model professional and exemplary leader.
4. Experienced mentor
Players, especially young players, do not always have access to the coach’s mentorship. To get a message, you just need it coming from a teammate sometimes. Paker is that character with 18 years in the game, including spells in Europe and a decade at Naturena.
Parker in the colours of Dutch giants FC Twente before his years at Chiefs. Image: @Mzima_Lumkile / Twitter
5. Long-serving loyalty
Playing for Bafana Bafana all those years, and delivering 60 goals and 40 assists in over 300 games for Amakhosi, there’s always been tempting offers to leave for better contracts elsewhere, but Parker showed his loyalty.
So there you have it, releasing Parker was never on the table for the Glamour Boys unless the veteran player will request to exit for personal reasons.
Love or hate him, Parker is a Khosi for life and is expected to work at the club after his retirement.
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