“During the break we not only had time to work individually but also as a team on our game,” says Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker ahead of the Mamelodi Sundowns encounter on Saturday.

“That helped me to know where I stand.” The game will be played at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium (kick-off at 3.30pm).

Parker had ankle surgery towards the end of last season and although the striker has been back in action for a while now, he hasn’t as yet found his goal scoring form of the two previous seasons. However, Parker looks sharp in training at present and he scored a beauty – with a diving header – in a friendly last week. In that same match, the striker also provided an assist for one his teammates to score from.

A Parker in form will be needed against Mamelodi Sundowns, last season’s Absa Premiership champions. So far, however, the Brazilians are 12 points behind the Amakhosi after ten league games played.

“Sundowns will be under pressure coming into the game,” Parker remarks. “From their point of view they need to close that gap. However, we are of course well aware of that. Even more so, if we win that could put a dent in their championship aspirations this season. We will be fully focussed and ready for the game.”

On another note, Parker’s Amakhosi teammate Reneilwe ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane got his 50th South African international cap last Saturday after coming on in the dying minutes of the game against Sudan.

“That was great for him,” Parker reacts. “Yeye truly deserves it!”