TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic says Bernard Parker will come back stronger and the club will support him at this difficult time because it will be sad to see his career end in this way, before adding he’s sure Bongani Zungu will apologise.
Parker saw his leg broken when Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu’s studs up challenge caught him in the Carling Knockout Round of 16 at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday.
Zungu, following the challenge, looked to be shocked that he was sent off by Masixole Bambiso, disputing his red card even when he was in the tunnel.
As the day was overshadowed by the horrific injury, Galaxy held their nerves to win 5-4 on penalties after the game finished 2-2 in the extra-time.
“We are all quite sad, quite shocked because first of all the human being of Parker,” Ramovic told iDiski Times.
“He is just an amazing person and fantastic player, fantastic attitude and I’m just happy to get the chance to work with him. When you see this kind of bad injury, then you are left in shock.
“I know Parker is a very mentally strong guy – he is role model to every stage in the life and we went to the hospital after the game and I told him that I believe in him and that he will come back stronger and he has my full support and I’ll just wait until he is back and fit.
“For sure he will get the whole support from us, from me because it should not be his career-end like this and he will get everything he needs from us to come back.”
Parker is 37 years old and as his leg is broken, he has a hard recovery road ahead of him to return to the same level he was on.
Again, Ramovic reiterated the full support to Parker, who is Kaizer Chiefs all-time goal scorer in the PSL era.
“He has our trust, he has our support and that is the most important thing. But we will, like I said, absolutely do everything on what we have to support him, help him to come back on the field where he belongs,” he added.
What devastated many viewers was the reaction of Zungu, who had to be hauled off the pitch by his technical staff and players as he first resisted.
When asked to comment on the reaction of Zungu to what can be construed as the career-threatening injury, Ramovic didn’t want to be drawn into that topic but admitted he hopes Zungu will call Parker to apologise.
“This is not my player, this is a right question you should ask Rulani Mokwena,” said Ramovic.
“I don’t want to comment because everyone can see how things went and the behaviour.
“But what I know I believe Zungu did not do it on purpose. Something like that happened and I’m sure when he sees the pictures he will also be shocked.
“I’m sure he will ask the phone number of Parker to apologise and Sundowns as well because they are a class team.”
