Parker pens Chiefs super deal

Kaizer Chiefs will announce the signing of Bafana Bafana striker Bernard Parker in an urgent press conference on Thursday, it was confirmed on Wednesday night.

While Chiefs team manager Bobby Motaung dismissed the Parker story as “off the mark”, The Star can reveal Parker’s return to the domestic scene after a three-year nomadic period in Europe will be confirmed on Thursday

His Netherlands club FC Twente stated on their website that the stocky striker had secured a move to Amakhosi. “Parker will immediately move to the South African club Kaizer Chiefs. The 25-year-old striker signed a contract with the club from his native country,” reported fctwente.nl last night.

Also at the press conference, Amakhosi will confirm the departure of Knowledge Musona to German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, after the Zimbabwean passed a trial there a few weeks ago.

If Musona’s signature is confirmed as expected, he will be unavailable to play for Chiefs in this weekend’s inaugural Carling Cup against Orlando Pirates.

Musona finished as the Premiership’s top scorer last season, tormenting opposition defences, and his departure would leave a huge void in the Amakhosi attack.

But despite Motaung’s rebuttal – “wait for the press conference”, he insisted – Chiefs have moved swiftly to fill the 21-year-old’s gap, with Parker to be unveiled in a yellow jersey in Naturena today.

Parker, 25, has become an integral part of Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane’s team, although he’s not considered to be a real No9 in the form of Musona. The Boksburg-born forward last played for a local Premiership team in January 2008, departing from Thanda Royal Zulu for Red Star Belgrade.

The man who has 39 Bafana appearances with 10 goals spent the past season on loan at Greek side Panserraikos, but he returned home this off-season for the birth of his child.