Bernard Parker sees silver lining in Sundowns defeat

11.08.26 FT South African Betway Premiership

TS Galaxy

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Mamelodi Sundowns FC

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TS Galaxy head coach Bernard Parker has drawn some positives from their 3-2 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Rockets surrendered a 2-1 lead as substitute Sphelele Mkhulise restored parity in the 88th minute, before striking deep in stoppage time to help Downs snatch maximum points at the death.

Galaxy, as a result, sit in 11th place on the Betway Premiership standings, having accumulated a single point in two matches as they opened their league campaign with a 2-2 draw against Siwelele FC.

Parker, however, sees a silver lining despite the late defeat to the African champions, noting how his team gave Miguel Cardoso's men a run for their money, as it has become a norm in the fixture.

“We take a lot of positives out of this game. We played against the number one team in Africa and we managed to go with them pound for pound,” said the 40-year-old tactician.

"There were instances where we sat back and we invited the pressure, there were instances where we even pressed them high and forced errors, and then got chances as well.

"So, that is a positive in terms of the resilience that we have, the aggression that we have, and the intensity that we have, I take that out of the game. The bravery also comes with it.

Having been entrusted by club boss Tim Sukazi to steer the ship following the dismissal of Adnan Beganovic in April, the former Kaizer Chiefs talisman is pleased with how his troops have responded to his tactics thus far.

“The good thing is that we are a team that has that never die spirit, so those are good positives. And with the tactical part I believe that we've got it now, we've got the concept,” Parker added.

"It's just for us to make sure when we play, we do it within what will make us look better and then we have those type of spells in longer periods in the game, not just glimpses here and there.

"We must have those longer spells in the game for us to have more percentages of winning the game. Either than that, the other positive is that with set plays it's a weapon, we must take advantage of that.

Galaxy will return to action with a visit from Golden Arrows at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday, 16 August, as they look to register their first win of the 2026/27 campaign.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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