TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi has confirmed to Sunday World that Bernard Parker underwent a successful operation in Johannesburg on Thursday night.
On Wednesday night, the veteran Galaxy star suffered a career-threatening injury when he broke his shin after a horrific tackle from Mamelodi Sundowns’ burly midfielder Bongani Zungu in the Last 16 of the Carling Knockout at the Mbombela Stadium. The Rockets’ chairman has also mentioned that the club and Parker have not heard anything from Zungu or Sundowns since after the horrific incident.
Galaxy did just enough to knock the feared Sundowns out of the competition by virtue of penalties. The score line was 5-4 after penalty shoot-outs, following a 2-2 draw during regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time.
With Sundowns chasing the match, following Galaxy’s rat-a-tat spell in the opening stages, Zungu and Parker were involved in a 50/50 challenge. However, Zungu went studs up, and connected with the shin of the flying Parker.
After the collision, the former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs star’s shin suffered a clean break and flapped about like a bamboo. He was immediately stretchered off and taken to hospital. Parker broke both the tibia and fibula bones in his left leg. The video of the rough tackle has been trending ever since it took place.
“I can confirm that Parker’s operation was successful,” Sukazi told Sunday World on Friday.
“And as compared to other similar operations, the doctors told me that it was not complicated and that they managed to put the two bones back in their places. They were able to reconstruct everything back into place and it was successful,” he added.
Asked if he thinks that Parker will play again, Sukazi said: “The sense I got from the doctors is that players do come back and play from such accidents. Dillon Sheppard also suffered the same injury, and he was still able to recover and to continue playing football. If he chooses to play, or to be with Galaxy in a different capacity, the club will continue to support him. His football future is secured with the club.
“We have not heard a word from Zungu or Sundowns,” added Sukazi. “Maybe it’s because of their busy travelling schedule. They are a good club, and they are not bad people. They have a very hectic fixture schedule and I give them the benefit of the doubt,” Sukazi explained further.
