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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker believes that the Soweto giants still have a lot to improve on despite claiming an all important victory over arch-rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.
Parker had a brilliant performance, helping his side to a 2-1 win over Sundowns and was handed the Absa Premiership man of the match for his effort.
"We knew it would be a game of small margins," Parker reflected as quoted by the club's website.
"We had a good plan of keeping it narrow; pushing Sundowns to the side and catch them on the counter.
"We had a bit of a nervous start but we got going the longer the game went on."
The Brazilians scored the opener in the 26th minute, with the ball deflecting off Lorenzo Gordinho past goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
"We defended well,” continues Parker, "protecting the half-space pockets. We were unlucky with their goal."
Amakhosi kept pushing with the 31-year-old Glamour Boy from Reiger Park bringing his side back into the game.
"It’s always an unbelievable feeling to score as a striker,” he reacts to his goal scored in the 34th minute.
In the second-half Chiefs played even better as they continued to search for the all important second goal.
"After the hour remark, Sundowns got a bit relaxed, getting arrogant. Our players up-front kept pushing them, challenging their defenders early on. When Gustavo Paez came on for me, he also pressed and that paid off," Parker added.
The Venezuelan harassed Sundowns defender Bangaly Soumahoro to such an extent that he passed backwards. To the Ivory Coast player’s shock and Amakhosi’s delight, the ball ended in the back of the net.
Since, Parker started in six of the following seven league fixtures, only missing out on a place in the starting line-up against Ajax Cape Town, although he came on in that game.
In the eight matches that he did start, Chiefs booked six wins and two draws, collecting 20 points with Parker netting five goals in those encounters.
The Glamour Boys are now in second spot on the league table, two points behind Bidvest Wits with the Clever Boys having two games in hand.
"We could only have beaten ourselves against Sundowns," Parker said.
"There is still room for improvement. The result could have been even better. We should be a bit more ruthless and straightforward in our decision-making going forward, also bringing in some composure and calmness.
"If we succeed in doing this, we will be difficult to beat."
