“The Fifa-break has done us good,” reflects Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker about the period that also allowed Bafana Bafana to play two friendlies, the second of which is against Nigeria on Sunday. “The break was good to refresh ourselves, especially mentally. It has cleared the clouds above our heads.”

Amakhosi played a practice match against Highlands Park on Saturday morning. The game was divided in three parts, with each section lasting 30 minutes. Chiefs’ first team played in the first period, although Itumeleng Khune, Brilliant Khuzwayo and Mandla Masango didn’t participate as they are on duty with the South African national team.

Highlands Park were beaten 2-1 with Siphelele Mthembu and Hendrick Ekstein scoring the goals.

“The result doesn’t matter so much,” reflects Parker after the practice match, which took place at the Village. “This friendly was more to sharpen up our game and to tweak a bit our style of play ahead of next week’s Raja encounter.”

Chiefs play Raja Casablanca in the second leg of the CAF Champions League’s first round in Casablanca on Sunday, 5 April. Amakhosi lost 1-0 at home. The return match is scheduled to take place at the Stade Mohammed V, kick-off at 19:00 (20:00, South African time).

Parker has played in Morocco before. “With Bafana,” he reacts. “We drew 1-1 against Morocco at the Stade d’Agadir in October 2013. Other Chiefs players participating in that match were Khune, Tsepo Masilela and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who came on for Parker.

“After the game in Durban, we know now how they play,” adds the Amakhosi striker about Raja. “We created numerous chances in the first leg. We definitely need to be sharper in front of goal in the second leg if we want to make a chance. However, we travel in a positive frame of mind to Casablanca. We are confident that we can get a result.”