Johannesburg – Gordon Igesund on Monday heaped praise on Bernard Parker after the Kaizer Chiefs striker’s incredible four-goal haul for Kaizer Chiefs against AmaZulu at the weekend.
Parker endured a frustrating first season at Amakhosi, where he scored four league goals in the entire season, and lost his place in the Bafana Bafana squad.
Now, however, with his confidence clearly restored under new Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter, Parker has raised his hand to be included when Bafana face Brazil in Sao Paulo on September 7.
“It’s lovely to see players scoring like that,” said Igesund on Monday.
“Besides scoring he actually played very well, I’m very happy with his performance. Bernard is a confidence player, and that will give him confidence.”
Igesund faces an interesting selection dilemma up front, with Bafana’s main striker Katlego Mphela still out of action following a knee operation.
The likes of Siyabonga Nomvethe and Edward Manqele have also shown their credentials with early season goals, and Igesund is happy with what he has seen in the season so far.
“In the last two weeks the league and cup have all kicked off and I am very happy, everyone is working hard and scoring. We’ve watched a lot of games and we are looking for players to fill certain roles.”
Igesund has not yet had a chance to travel to visit Bafana’s overseas-based players, but says he has “been in communication and talking to their managers”.
He expressed his delight that midfielder-cum-striker Thulani Serero started for Ajax Amsterdam this weekend, and also made mention of Kamohelo Mokotjo, the 21-year-old Feyenoord midfielder.
Another making a case for inclusion locally has to be midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni, who has had a sensational start to his Mamelodi Sundowns career, scoring twice in two games for the Brazilians.
Igesund is expected to announce his Bafana squad towards the end of August for the match against Brazil, and another fixture on September 11, probably against Mozambique. – The Star