Bernard Parker senses opportunity for TS Galaxy in wide-open Nedbank Cup race

TS Galaxy assistant coach Bernard Parker has set his sights on winning his first medal since retiring from professional football, believing The Rockets have been handed a rare opportunity in this season’s Nedbank Cup.

Galaxy host amateur side Jacksa Spears at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday afternoon with a place in the semifinals at stake.

With defending champions Kaizer Chiefs, as well as Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates already eliminated from the tournament, Parker believes Galaxy now have a genuine chance to go all the way.

However, the former Bafana Bafana striker insists the Rockets will not allow themselves to underestimate their lower-league opponents.

“We have done our homework, they have, and we all know what can happen and what has happened in the past in the Nedbank Cup,” Parker said.

“In the cup we are also well aware that we have a strong possibility of going all the way to the final. The reason is that we all know the big teams have been surprised and we also don’t want to be surprised by the opponents that we going to face.

“But right now the focus is on Jacksa Spears this weekend, and the main focus is for us to make sure that we get the team back to our performing level.”

Galaxy know better than most how unpredictable the competition can be. In 2019, the club produced one of the biggest upsets in South African cup history when they defeated Kaizer Chiefs in the final as a second-tier side.

That historic triumph remains a reminder that reputations often count for little in knockout football — something Parker believes should serve as both warning and motivation.

Behind the scenes, Galaxy’s technical team have worked to gather as much information as possible on the little-known Jacksa Spears, who have quietly navigated their way to the quarterfinals.

For Galaxy, the challenge will be maintaining the right balance between confidence and caution. Facing lower-division opposition can often present a different type of difficulty, particularly when expectation heavily favours the top-flight side.

Parker’s role within the technical team has also grown steadily since he hung up his boots. His experience at the highest level — including years spent leading the line for Kaizer Chiefs — has made him a valuable mentor to Galaxy’s younger attacking players.

A victory on Sunday would move the Rockets one step closer to another historic cup run, and for Parker personally, it would represent an important milestone in the early stages of his coaching journey.

Should Galaxy progress, belief within the camp could grow even stronger that another unlikely Nedbank Cup story might be brewing — much like the one the club authored six years ago.