Having once suffered defeat to TS Galaxy in the 2019 Nedbank Cup final with Kaizer Chiefs, Parker now watches the Rockets progress after beating Gallants 1‑0 and Sundowns 2‑0 to book a last‑eight tie against an ABC Motsepe League team.
Jacksa Spears, meanwhile first beat HollywoodBets Regional League club Cardinals FC 4-2 and Vasco Da Gama of the ABC Motsepe League.
Despite heading into the game as clear favourites to progress to the semi-finals, Parker is wary of another giant-killing.
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He said on Timea Live: “Memory does serve me well; I was playing for the defending champions then, and TS Galaxy was playing in the NFD, and they became victorious at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“That is just the magic of the Nedbank Cup. Surprises will always come up; it is about making sure you deal well with the moments. Unfortunately, I was on the losing side at that time.
“But this time around I want to be on the winning side as a coach. I want to get the Nedbank Cup medal as a coach, and I know it is possible.
“Within the current members of the TS Galaxy squad, it is only McBeth Mahlangu who was part of that team that beat Chiefs in the final.
“The rest of the guys are fairly new, and they have not tasted cup success yet with TS Galaxy. What is of importance for us is to make sure we can repeat history.
“From my experience as a former player, it is important that senior players take charge in the game and make sure they control certain moments.”