A faction of fans may have aired their displeasure with his performances in recent times, but Kaizer Chiefs utility player Njabulo Ngcobo has revealed why Bernard Parker remains one of the most integral members of coach Stuart Baxter’s side.
At the age of 35, the goals may have dried up for ‘Die Hond’ and he has had to adjust his game to keep up with the modern demands, but Parker remains a pivotal part of matters at Amakhosi.
Perhaps his influence stretches way beyond what he does on the pitch, particularly with the role he plays in taking the club’s new players under his wing and guiding them as they adjust to the rigours of playing for one of the biggest club’s on the continent.
Amakhosi new boy, Ngcobo, who is in his first season with the Naturena-based outfit following his high-profile move from Swallows FC, has highlighted the important role the veteran has played in his adaptation to life at the club.
“What I would say is, a player who doesn’t play the same position as me but helps me is Bernard Parker. There is so much that he is teaching the guys that are new in the team. Maybe other people might not see it but the way he does things is very different from a lot of players in South Africa,” Ngcobo told Vodacom’s Ringa Nathi.
“Since I got to the team, I have loved the way he has been living and the way he takes care of himself. For me, especially because I come from the homelands and I haven’t been to these development structures and all these things, there is a lot that I am learning from him.
“When he speaks to you, it is never as though you’re his junior. He puts it in a way that shows you that you are at the right place, so I think he is one of the most important players in my life since I’ve gotten to Chiefs.”
So far this season, Ngcobo has made 10 appearances for Amakhosi in an adjusted midfield position under Baxter.
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