From hero to zero: Bernard Parker 'almost' ends SA's World Cup hopes

Bernard Parker of South Africa

Own goals are strange but while some are hysterical (for the other side), they can cost a team dearly.  And when it all happens on a stage too big, it is quite the recipe for disaster.

And it was nothing short of a disaster on Sunday, 16th June; a date that will perhaps haunt Bernard Parker for the rest of his life.

South Africa, the hosts of the 2010 World Cup, trying to qualify for the second successive World Cup, faced Ethiopia knowing a loss would mean missing out on qualification to their opponents on the day;  the bottom line: a crunch game and there was no room for mistakes.

Things started wonderfully well for the Kaizer Chiefs attacker. Parker opened the scoring in the 34th minute to give South Africa the lead. But the lead did not last long as the Ethiopians equalised through Getaneh Kebede eight minutes later. In the second half both sides pushed for the win and the game was balanced till a foul by South Africa in the 70th minute.

When the resulting free-kick swinging into the box, Parker, under no real pressure from opponents or teammates, rose majestically and powered a world class header into the top corner – straight past his own keeper, sending the home fans into raptures. A header so powerful and accurately placed that had it been scored at the right end, it certainly would have been one of the goals of the qualifiers. Alas, in reality, it was an own goal and ultimately the decider.

With the victory, Ethiopia have an unassailable five point lead over South Africa, with only a game remaining in this stage of the qualifying, ending Bafana Bafana’s dreams of qualifying for the 2014 edition in Brazil.

Or maybe not. FIFA has launched an investigation on an alleged infringement by Ethiopia in one of its previous game. Walia Antelopes midfielder Minyahil Teshome Beyene received a second yellow card of the group campaign at home to Botswana in March. This should have theoretically earned a suspension, the midfielder then played Ethiopia’s next match – away to the same opponents.

If the East African side is indeed found guilty, it would hand a lifeline back to 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa as Fifa rules state guilty teams ‘will be sanctioned by forfeiting the match’.

Maybe Parker’s nightmare won’t haunt him for long.