Kaizer Chiefs stalwart Bernard Parker may be missing in action come 31 July 31 when AmaKhosi battle for offseason honours against Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates.
This will be in the offseason Soweto derby in the Carling Black Label Cup, which has become famously known simply as the ‘Beer Cup’, which returns on stage after a year’s hiatus because of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It would appear Parker is not a fan favourite this time around, shown in the latest voting patterns in which his name does not feature anywhere in the starting line-up as chosen by the voting fans.
But speaking at the launch of the cup at the end of May, Parker had hinted on his certainty of making the cut with the fans and be included in the starting line-up.
“As a player, you are not assured of being voted in for this competition as the decision of who goes onto the field lies with the fans, but I am certain I will make the cut, come July 31,” said the AmaKhosi veteran at the launch. He had been banging in some crucial goals that earned his side a top-eight finish in one of the most nightmarish seasons for the glamorous club.
As stand-in captain, Parker still has a good chance of making it into the starting line-up as it will be updated weekly. He had told his counterpart and rival Happy Jele that they would be meeting on the field of play on the day to narrow the winning gap that the Buccaneers have opened in terms of lifting the trophy. Bucs have won it three times more than Chiefs.
“The return of the derby means a return for Chiefs to its winning ways,” Parker said.
Jele on the other hand has been given a measure of assurance as his name has featured in the initial update of the starting line-up that has been chosen so far for the Buccaneers.
So far, AmaKhosi’s starting line-up is:
Itumeleng Khune, Eric Mathoho, Daniel Cardoso, Reeve Frosler, Siyabonga Ngezana, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Dumisani Zuma, Lebogang Manyama, Njabulo Blom, Samir Nurkovic and Khama Billiat.
Bucs starting line-up is:
Richard Ofori, Happy Jele, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Innocent Maela, Wayde Jooste, Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule, Ben Motshwari, Fortune Makaringe, Deon Hotto, Gabadinho Mhango and Zakhele Lepasa.
