TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi has confirmed that Bernard Parker has indeed broken his leg and already undergone surgery, while also stating that Bongani Zungu has not yet apologised for the tackle and his reaction, according to his knowledge.
The incident happened after 58 minutes in Galaxy’s 5-4 penalty shootout win over the DStv Premiership champions, when both players contested a ball, but Zungu went over it and crushed Parker’s leg.
Parker, who feared after the game that his career might be over due to the seriousness of the injury and his advanced age, was immediately taken to hospital and already had his operation on Thursday.
“As I’m speaking to you, he’s undergoing surgery,” Sukazi told Thabiso Mosia on Radio2000.
“It is a leg break, both the tibia and fibula.”
Sukazi, though, revealed that Parker has remained the gentleman he is and doesn’t hold a grudge towards Zungu, while confirming that he’ll get the best possible support from The Rockets.
“Bernard is a gentleman of the game, he’s an amazing guy, to be honest,” he continued.
“I’ve worked with him a year-and-a-half. I knew exactly that this club can go very far, working with a Bernard Parker.
“I take it upon myself to ensure that he shall be forever be retained within our club.
“Those who were at the launch of his book heard me saying publicly ‘as long as TS Galaxy is with me, Bernard Parker’s future in football is secured.
“South African football needs to make sure that Bernard is not lost and we’ll play our part as TS Galaxy. Bernard is such a legend.
“Now with that kind of injury, at first he was thumbs up, sending a message to the crowd. He was not sulking, he was just Bernard, he was the gentleman of the game.
“That’s why I’m saying South Africa this is one guy we need around us going forward. He is a leading example of how to be a professional, how to be a husband, how to be a brother. He. ticks all the boxes, we are all fortunate at TS Galaxy to have a guy like this.”
Sukazi also confirmed that – according to his knowledge – Zungu had not apologised to Parker (by Thursday evening) and admitted that he was left a bit disappointed by his conduct after being shown the red card.
“Not yet so far as I’m aware and to the best of my knowledge,” he added, when asked about an apology.
“Personally I was disappointed by Bongani’s reaction, especially seeing him standing there, looking at the leg of Bernard and still reacting in the manner he did,”
“He may not have intended to break the leg, I don’t think he intended to break but he deliberately went over the ball and it happens quite often in the game.
“When you a legend bent like that, [and] you still remonstrate in that manner and plead innocent, I think that was disappointing, especially from a legend. He’s a good guy, I’ve known him for many years.”
