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Baxter lauds 'excellent' Parker

Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter delighted with the form shown by striker Bernard Parker in front of goal this season.

Parker grabbed a brace for Bafana Bafana on Tuesday as they beat Mozambique 2-0 in Nelspruit and he has performed equally well for Amakhosi this term.

Speaking to Football411, Barker lauded the former FC Twente ace, saying: "Bernard is just playing well at the moment; he is full of confidence and he is sharp.

"He is not hesitant in his movements and he's giving the midfielders lots of opportunities to find him.

"I think he's only been offside once and for a striker who is playing on the shoulders of the defender, I think that is excellent... he is excellent. It is an indication of how well he is moving.

"I think when you looked at him when he was most depressed, he would probably have run offside six or seven times a game and now he is not struggling with that. He is doing very, very well."

Parker netted just four times in 29 starts for Chiefs in the previous campaign, but has already replicated his efforts for the Glamour Boys in the new season.

Baxter believes the 26-year-old has benefitted from a change to his positional play in and around the 18-yard area.

"I saw Bernard play last season when I came through to watch the last few games and I felt we needed to get him into the right areas," Baxter added.

"Now he's much better in those areas when he is half turned. He makes good decisions with the ball and I think the more he's done that, the more confidence he's got.

"So I think Bernard thinks it is enjoyable to play football again and we will see more of him this season."

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