Parker pays tribute to his "father" Mazibuko

Former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs captain Bernard Parker says they have lost a father in the late Mamelodi Sundowns scout and youth coach Mandla Mazibuko, who passed away earlier this week.

Parker, a product of the famed and production Transnet-SAFA School of Excellence football academy, which also produced other Bafana legends like Steven Pienaar, Daine Klate and many more, says Mazibuko as their youth coach at the School of Excellence was everything to them.

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Parker who joined the School of Excellence from primary school after he was spotted in his home township of Reiger Park near Boksburg, says at the school Mazibuko was his coach and his loss is difficult to take.

œWe™ve lost a father; he was the father to many of us that have been under his wing.

His father figure, the type of person he is you know and because of his personality and the type of person he is players could easily relate with him said Parker

Mazibuko arguably, is one of the few if not the only scouts who are known for crisscrossing all the corners of this country looking for talent; be it in schools or youth clubs competitions, he would always be there as Parker shares the sharp eye for talent that he had.

By Velile Mnyandu