Former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu has reignited his long-standing feud with Kaizer Chiefs legend Bernard Parker, accusing the veteran striker of spreading lies about their infamous on-field clash.
The tension resurfaced this week after Parker appeared in a Smash Sports YouTube interview, recounting the horrific injury he sustained following Zungu’s tackle during a DStv Premiership clash between Sundowns and TS Galaxy two seasons ago.
The Tackle That Shook South African Football
The incident dates back to October 2023, when Zungu went in for a challenge on Parker during the league encounter. Moments later, Parker was on the ground in excruciating pain with a broken leg, an injury that sidelined him for most of the season.
Parker eventually returned to action towards the end of the campaign, but the bad blood between the two players never fully faded. The rivalry deepened when Zungu himself picked up an injury against TS Galaxy in what many fans speculated to be “revenge karma.”
Parker’s Version of Events
During the interview, Parker emotionally described the moment of impact.
“When I lifted my leg, it was doing this [indicating it was limp]. While my leg was doing that, the person [Zungu] was performing and yappering and yappering over me, looking at how my leg was swinging from side to side,” Parker recalled.
He added that Zungu sent him a direct message on Instagram after the incident asking for forgiveness.
“I said, ‘Sharp, I forgive you.’ He did not even give a thumbs up or a heart or anything, or wish me well for my recovery… nothing. He read it and just left it. I still have the screenshot of that message,” Parker claimed.
Parker also alleged that Zungu later blocked him on Instagram, further straining their already frosty relationship.
Bongani Zungu Claps Back: ‘Your Legends and Lies’
Zungu, who now plays for AmaZulu, did not let the claims go unanswered. Taking to Instagram Stories earlier this week, the midfielder fired back at Parker, accusing him of twisting the truth.
“Mxm, your legends and lies,” Zungu wrote, sharing a screenshot of their previous conversation as evidence.
The screenshot appeared to contradict Parker’s version of events, though Zungu did not go into further detail about what was said in the exchange.
The Feud That Won’t Die
The Zungu-Parker saga remains one of the most talked-about incidents in recent PSL history. What started as an unfortunate tackle has grown into a personal feud between two high-profile figures in South African football.
While both men have since moved on professionally Zungu at AmaZulu and Parker nearing the twilight of his career their clash continues to spark debate among fans.
Kaizer Chiefs & Legacy
For Kaizer Chiefs supporters, Parker remains a club legend, remembered for his leadership and key performances. But his fallout with Zungu has divided opinions, with some backing the striker’s emotional account and others siding with the midfielder’s claim of honesty.
Whether the two will ever reconcile remains to be seen, but for now, their war of words continues to dominate headlines.
Related article: AmaZulu’s Bongani Zungu Still Dreaming of Bafana Return
