Johannesburg – Bernard Parker scored twice to earn Kaizer Chiefs a 2-1 win at SuperSport United on Sunday that lifted the famed Soweto club five places to fifth in the South African Premiership.
The 35-year-old forward put the visitors ahead in the first minute of first half added time only for SuperSport to level before the break when Nkosingiphile Ngcobo netted an own goal.
Parker struck again just four minutes into the second half, with a brilliant run across the edge of the box giving him the time and space to fire past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Phathutshedzo Nange squandered a great chance in the closing stages to put the issue beyond doubt when he blazed wide with only Williams to beat.
Having bagged a brace, Parker was forced to hobble off with a hamstring injury.
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“The front three worked well with our constant movement and ability to get behind defenders causing SuperSport a lot of problems,” said the 73-cap former international.
“As much as we created space, we closed down the amount available to our opponents and that was a big factor in the victory tonight.
“I sense there is a lot more to come from this Chiefs team. We have not won a major trophy during the past six seasons and that is unacceptable for such a great club.”
Considered a model professional, Parker has played professionally since 2004 and spent time with clubs in Serbia, the Netherlands and Greece before joining Chiefs 10 years ago.
It was the first defeat this season for SuperSport, leaving them four points behind pacesetters Mamelodi Sundowns having played one match more.
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Record 11-time Premiership champions Sundowns have 19 points, SuperSport 15, Royal AM and Stellenbosch 13 each and Chiefs 12 after eight rounds of matches.
On Saturday, Cape Town City hung on for a 4-3 victory over visiting Golden Arrows after building a four-goal advantage just before the hour through a Craig Martin goal.
“When we went four goals ahead I expected the floodgates to open – but not in the direction that they did,” said Cape Town coach and former international Eric Tinkler.
Cape Town, who have not finished lower than seventh in the Premiership, lie 11th with nine points, behind Arrows on goal difference.
There were only four fixtures this weekend as Sundowns, AmaZulu, Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants had African commitments.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Getty Images
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