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Parker on the right track

Cape Town - Leading Premier Soccer League (PSL) goal-scorer Bernard Parker feels he is on track to clinch the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot award at the end of the season.

A few players are lurking behind the Kaizer Chiefs striker though, including last season’s winner, Katlego Mashego, of Mamelodi Sundowns.

Parker has grabbed 10 league goals this season, leading Mashego by three.

It was also the case this time last season before the Amakhosi forward surrendered the accolade to his Bafana Bafana compatriot.

Speaking exclusively to Sport24 on Tuesday, the former FC Twente goal-poacher admitted that although he is on track to claim the award, he is feeling the pressure to maintain his position at the top.

“Definitely. I do feel the pressure,” said Parker.

“Knowing what happened last season I am pressured to maintain my position at the top.

“But I feel I am on the right track at the moment but I know that there are other players behind me.

“I just have to keep doing what I do best and we’ll see how it goes.”

Although the reigning PSL champions had a shaky start to the season, the 27-year-old player revealed that head coach, Start Baxter, advised them to cool down a bit in the early stages of the season to avoid unnecessary pressure.

While the Phefeni Glamour Boys are unbeaten in their last 11 games and seem unstoppable at the PSL log summit, Parker said they aren’t looking too far ahead.

“The coach explained to us that last season we started on a high.

“This time around, he told us that we need to slow down a bit to avoid unnecessary pressure.

“We were on top throughout last season until we won the league but at the same time under pressure.

“Now it’s a game-by-game situation without looking at the finishing line and we will see where it goes.

“We are aware that Sundowns and SuperSport United are coming after us but what we need to do is to try by all means to win all the remaining games (if) possible,” he added.

Chiefs will not be in action on the domestic front this week as they are playing in the CAF Champions League against the Mozambican side, Liga Muçulmana, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday evening (19:00 kick-off). 
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