FORMER Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker says it was designed by God that he finds himself leading TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup final this upcoming weekend.
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Bernard Parker is hoping that his TS Galaxy side maintains their cup final record, particularly in the Nedbank Cup, when they face Durban City at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night (6pm kick-off).
Galaxy have had mixed performances this year. They are enduring an 11-game winless streak, following nine defeats and two draws. However, they’ve been near-flawless in the Nedbank Cup, reaching the final of the competition.
The team’s poor run of form led to the sacking of coach Adnan Beganovic, who was in just his second season at the club, following an impressive top-eight finish in his first campaign after the departure of Sead Ramovic.
Enter Parker. The former Kaizer Chiefs player takes over the reins following an impressive playing career, which included spells abroad and, most recently, with Galaxy.
While he might be taking over coaching duties in the senior division for the first time, he has a background in coaching, having worked with Galaxy’s reserve team before he was Beganovic’s assistant.
The final will test Parker’s readiness to compete with the big boys full-time. However, he feels that he’s ready.
Having created history by becoming the first NFD side to win the competition – beating Parker’s Chiefs team in the final in Durban – Parker hopes that he is now on the winning side with Galaxy.
“I think the universe designed it. It’s by God’s grace,” Parker said. “Nobody expected that I would be in this situation – it came as a shock. People expected things otherwise regarding who should be in charge of the Nedbank Cup final.
“Other than that, I am a servant of the game – as a player previously, and now as a coach. A lot of work is done behind the scenes; the club is working together with the coaches and the players.
“The confidence and trust that the chairman has shown in me makes me proud and confident that I have what it takes (to do well). I also have the players’ response. So, it’s for all of us to go there and make sure that history repeats itself.”
Parker admitted that the players weren’t in the right state of mind in recent weeks, which is why winning the Nedbank Cup could help them rediscover their winning mentality.
“We don’t have time, and we have seen that the players are not at the right level mentally and physically. That’s why we had a string of losses,” Parker stated. “The good thing, though, is that we have the Nedbank Cup to fight for.
“We rode on the good fighting spirit that we had against Sundowns. With everything that has been happening, we still have the quality, energy and character, most importantly, to turn things around.”
Having been with the team for some time, Parker insisted that he knew what was wrong all along – which is why he was able to find immediate solutions. He drew his first game in charge, earning a precious point that could come in handy in their fight for survival.
“I am happy that we have completed most of the things so far. I have brought in a change in how we want to do things,” Parker said.
“We are making sure that we look more solid and mature. That will help in ensuring that we are a tough opponent to beat. The response of the players has been great; we just need to execute properly.”