Bernard Parker has admitted that he had to step up the gear this season following a disappointing debut season at Naturena.

The former FC Twente (Holland) striker arrived at Kaizer Chiefs Village, Naturena as a high profile signing but could not find the back of the net as regularly as fans expected in what was a disappointing season for the Amakhosi.

This season the Soweto Glamour Boys and Bernard Parker started like house on fire with the latter grabbing four goals in the league opener against AmaZulu.

‘Benito’ as Parker is affectionately known in football circles is currently Absa Premiership top goalscorer with seven goals after giving yet another Man of the Match performance against Bidvest Wits where he scored a brace in an emphatic 3-1 win at Mbombela Stadium.

“I did a lot of reflection following my first season at Kaizer Chiefs. People remembered me as a top goalscorer before I left for Europe and there were expectations for me to score lots of goals last season.

“I felt that I was trying too much last season winning balls on my own half and attacking and by the time I reached the poles I would be tired. I needed to step up this season. It all started in the preseason working with the wonderful Coach, Stuart Baxter who worked on my positioning.

“I am delighted with the way the team started with the season. It has not been only my performances as a striker but overall we have done well as a team. We are working as a unit and we are on top of the table.

“However there is still room for improvement; the Coach has for instance raised concerns about the way we defend and I think we can improve on that. Going forward we also need to convert more chances…we have been creating more chances and we need to finish them,” said Parker.

The Bafana Bafana frontman said he was not thinking about the Lesley Manyathela Award awarded to the top goalscorer in the Absa Premiership; “I am taking it game by game. The most important thing is that we are winning games as a team this season. I am happy to make my contribution in the team and that comes first.

I will continue working hard and try to improve. My teammates and even my co-strikers have been supportive at Chiefs, something that I appreciate. We hope to pick up where we left off at Mbombela Stadium this weekend when we meet Chippa United who seem to be finding their feet in their first PSL season,”

The game takes place at Soccer City Complex, 20:15 and tickets are on sale at Shoprite/Checkers and Computicket nationwide, R40 adults and Juvenile tickets will be available at the stadium.

The Club has lamented as worrisome the growing tendency of booing the players and pressurising the Technical Team to effect substitutions during the game. The Love and Peace fraternity will be expected to respond in the manner that is befitting the Chiefs badge at this game and going forward.