Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker claims that they are in a good state of mind ahead of their Nedbank Cup semi-final tie against SuperSport United on Saturday.
The Naturena based-outfit will be hoping to extend their unbeaten streak to 15 games in all competitions when they face Matsatsantsa at the FNB Stadium.
Parker has been gradually regaining his best form under coach Steve Komphela this season, and says the Glamour Boys are confident, based on their recent form.
‘We are in a good state. Mentally we are even stronger. The mood in camp is at an unbelievable level,’ Parker told the Kaizer Chiefs website.
‘If you watched our training, you would have seen what I’m talking about.
‘We are sharing positive thoughts. We are talking about the Champions League and things outside football. We are inspiring each other in camp and our camaraderie is on a high.’
The former Bafana Bafana international revealed that Chiefs are targetting both the Absa Premiership title, as well as the Nedbank Cup, going on to praise Venezuelan forward Gustavo Paez.
‘We held a discussion as a team before the start of the second round of the league fixtures,’
‘We set goals for ourselves. This is a must-win situation for us, for both the league and cup. The coach has said it, and we have to take each game at a time.’
‘I’m glad to see the guys fully focussed and we want to get to the next round.
‘With Páez coming in, he has to understand us well and so far he is doing it well. With my experience and his pace I’m able to spot him easily,’ he added.
Parker said that Chiefs learned some valuable lessons in Komphela’s debut trophyless season, which saw them lose in both the MTN 8 and Telkom Knockout Cup final against Ajax Cape Town and Mamelodi Sundowns.
‘We have learned from the situation and we are wiser now going forward,’
‘With faith and belief we will lift a trophy this season,’ he concluded.
Photo: Sydney Mahlangu /BackpagePix