Bongani Zungu was given a straight red for dangerous tackle on Bernard Parker.
Parker on Zungu’s tackle: ‘I would like to shake hands’
“I would like to shake hands with Bongani Zungu and coach Rulani Mokwena,” said TS Galaxy forward Bernard Parker.
Bongani Zungu was given a straight red for dangerous tackle on Bernard Parker.
TS Galaxy striker Bernard Parker says he wants to put the whole Bongani Zungu incident behind him after he recently returned to action.
The former Kaizer Chiefs forward was out for several eight months after Zungu’s challenge. After the challenge, there were fears that the ex-Bafana Bafana star might not play football again given his age. Parker(37) has since returned to action for The Rockets and featured in the team’s last two matches.
Speaking for the first time since the tackle, Parker said he wanted to move forward and was willing to shake hands with Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rulani Mokwena and Zungu.
”When I got out of the hospital I said on the radio that no one apologised, he said.
“I never got a phone call or a reaction, but it made me realise and think that the sooner you forgive, the faster you recover,” Parker said on the Arena Sports Show.
”So, I would like to shake hands with Bongani Zungu and coach Rulani Mokwena himself because he [Mokwena] has shown all the young coaches that anything is possible if you just put your focus and your passion in what you are doing.
Parker willing to shake hands with Zungu and Mokwena
”And if you put your energy into what you are doing everything flows. His energy reflects on his team,” he added.
”I respect him and I believe that we should respect each other publicly as I said football is a human spirit. So, let’s get that football spirit amongst us,” Parker on Zungu.
TS Galaxy and Sundowns will meet once more
Speaking on the Sports Night Amplified last year, the former Chiefs striker revealed Zungu did apologise.
“I got an apology from Zungu via Instagram (DM) and I told him that I have forgiven him,” he said.
Although the incident happened last year, it appears as if there is no love lost between Sundowns and Galaxy. The two teams played two weeks ago and again there was drama when Orebotse Mongae was sent off after injuring Zungu. The incident sparked talks that the player was sent to get revenge on Parker and he intentionally went for Zungu.
Ramovic and Mokwena will once again be the centre of attention this month
Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic has continued his feud with Downs coach Mokwena. The Mpumalanga-based team even threatened Rulani with legal action following his comments on Mongae’s tackle. The Sundowns mentor claimed the tackle on Zungu was to avenge Parker. It two coaches will meet once again on 21 May in a league clash.
