/ 2 October 2008

Parker: Playing for Bafana a dream come true

Thanda Royal Zulu (TRZ) striker Bernard Parker enjoyed a great start to his Bafana Bafana career with two goals when South Africa beat Malawi 3-0 in an international friendly at the Germiston Stadium on Tuesday evening.

”It was a really good experience,” Parker said on Thursday. ”The training, the coach, the players — I had no problems fitting in and I am looking forward to the next call-up,” he said.

Parker wore the number 17 jersey, which is usually worn by Blackburn Rovers and Bafana veteran striker Benni McCarthy. The TRZ captain stated he has always looked up to Benni.

”I wore that jersey because I look up to Benni and I know it’s his number,” he said. ”I think he is a brilliant striker and I hope to follow in his footsteps.

”I really hope to play alongside him one day, but then I still want to wear number 17,” the 22-year-old joked. ”But it doesn’t really matter what number will be on the jersey … playing for Bafana is a dream come true and playing alongside Benni is still a dream. I am looking forward to partnering him in attack.”

McCarthy has scored 30 goals in 72 international matches. Parker, who leads the Premier Soccer League scoring charts with four goals in three games, was seen at SuperSport United’s training session on Wednesday.

”No way I am joining them or any other team. I was just there to say hi to my boys, Daine [Klate] and Morgan [Gould]. I am totally committed to Thanda Royal so please don’t spread any rumours about me joining them,” he added, laughing off the any notion of him joining the league champs. — Sapa