Chiefs have defied all odds in their first foray past the preliminary rounds of Africa's elite club competition for the first time in their history by moving just one game away from the final.
While not many expected them to reach this stage of the Champions League due to their indifferent form during the domestic season, Parker says there was a genuine belief with the squad.
"We're not surprised, we know ourselves, in terms of the quality and strength we have, games are different, it's two different competitions, so I won't say we're surprised, it's more of a mental issue," Parker said in the pre-match press conference.
"Domestically things didn't go well and it's tough to dig yourself out of the ground you know when we doing well on the continent, it's motivational to keep it that way.
"Each and every player as much as the technical team is aware of our strengths and we know what we're capable of and we've been showing it. We've got a competitive squad with experience."
Coach Arthur Zwane echoed the sentiments of the club captain and expressed his pride in the group who struggled for much of the DStv Premiership campaign as they finished eighth in the 16-team division.
"This tournament has tested our boys' character from the beginning you know, even at some points we had doubts because the results weren't forthcoming. But participating as going as far to the semi-finals, that alone tells you that we are a good team.
"It might [look like] a fluke to others but the fact is the boys gave everything, if you've been to Tanzania and Simba, a lot of things happened behind the scenes that tested these boys and they should character - they never gave up.
"They went in there, gave their all, and may have lost the game but for the fact that we had four goals that were enough for us to go through and here we are now against one of the best teams in the continent, I still believe we'll get the desired results to go to the final."