
Bernard Parker has voiced his disappointment over the unjust treatment he faced from Kaizer Chiefs fans as his career was winding down.
Despite his considerable contributions to the club, he faced criticism for what some perceived as a lack of goals.
The current coach of TS Galaxy’s DStv Diski Challenge noted that he exerted every effort at Chiefs—he was the last player to net four goals for the team (against AmaZulu in the 2012/13 season at Moses Mabhida Stadium), the most recent to secure the PSL Golden Shoe for Chiefs in the PSL (2013/14 season), and scored the winning goal in the Nedbank Cup final against SuperSport United at Moses Mabhida Stadium in the 2012/13 season.
“It was unjust,” Parker stated to Sportswire in Durban while participating in the Carling Black Label #NoExcuse campaign on Tuesday.
“It truly felt unfair considering my role as an attacker for the team. While people referred to me as a striker, I functioned more as an attacking player, frequently playing as a supporting striker, a number 10, or even on the wing.
“Nevertheless, my true strength was in generating scoring chances, netting goals, and contributing alongside my teammates to secure league titles and various trophies.”
Additionally, Parker holds the record as the all-time leading scorer for Chiefs in the PSL, with an impressive 61 goals in 364 matches across all competitions, alongside 40 assists.
Moreover, after surpassing Siphiwe Tshabalala’s record as Chiefs’ top scorer in the PSL era, Parker was on the verge of breaking Tshabalala’s record for the most appearances in Soweto Derbies—31 matches, where he scored two goals. Shabba still holds the record with 31 appearances in this historic South African rivalry.
“Furthermore, achieving personal milestones over the last two decades is quite exceptional, as few players stay with Chiefs for such a lengthy period,” Parker remarked. He joined Chiefs prior to the 2012/13 season and departed after the 2021/22 season.
“I left the club with notable statistics. However, toward the end of my time at Chiefs, I was shifted to a deeper midfield position.
“It felt unjust to still carry the weight of goal-scoring responsibilities. As goals became harder to come by and the team faced challenges, fans’ frustrations grew.
“I was one of the players singled out and scrutinized due to the goal drought. It was painful to reflect on how unfairly I was criticized by supporters considering the club’s overall performance.
“I sought guidance from a life coach who pointed out, ‘Are you aware you’re only four goals away from becoming Chiefs’ all-time leading scorer?’ That’s when I understood I could improve my career statistics.
“I began to prioritize scoring, as evident in my assist to Khama Billiat; it felt like scoring a goal because I facilitated it.
“I decided to focus on finding the net more frequently and ultimately became Chiefs’ all-time goalscorer during a challenging period for the club.
“I take pride in leaving the club with strong statistics. Still, it felt somewhat unfair and hurtful to endure criticism, especially during critical times. As senior players, we needed more support, which could have positively influenced the younger players.”
Parker’s influence reaches beyond the Chiefs. He is a legend for Bafana Bafana, ranking among the top five all-time goal scorers for the national team with 23 goals in 72 appearances.