Fly high, Coach: SA mourn the death of hero Clive Barker
HIGH FLYER: Former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker. Picture: ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
South African football is mourning the passing of iconic former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker.
Barker masterminded South Africa’s greatest moment on a football pitch when his side won the 1996 Afcon on home soil with a 2-0 win over Tunisia at the FNB Stadium.
The 78-year-old sadly died after a battle with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) on Saturday, with tributes pouring in from the football fraternity and beyond.
His family said in a statement on Saturday morning: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the medical professionals who cared for Clive over the past six months. He fought a brave battle, and we are relieved he is now at peace.
“Clive will be remembered by South Africans for his role in helping to bring a nation together around the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, but for us, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and he will be dearly missed.”
Barker transformed SA football in his 40-year coaching career, defying apartheid laws to coach in the townships, winning numerous domestic titles and also qualifying Bafana for the 1998 World Cup in France before quitting the national team in 1997.
He went on to coach Cape Town’s Santos twice (in 2000 and again 2005), before finishing off his legendary career at Maritzburg United in 2015/16.
Barker was diagnosed with LBD in March this year.
TRIBUTES FOR BARKER
Bafana Bafana legend Lucas Radebe: “Saddened by the passing of legendary Coach Clive Barker [with] whom we shared some great moments during Afcon 96 team successes. RIP and Condolences to the Family.”
PSL coach Gavin Hunt: “RIP Clive. May his soul rest in peace. What a legend of South African football.”
Stellenbosch coach and nephew Steve Barker: “To a Giant & Legend of South African Football. Thank you Uncle Clive for everything you have done for our Country. You bought happiness & joy to everyone you met. Your legacy as a legend & gentleman of South African football will forever life in our hearts.”
Afcon 1996 winner and Cape Town Spurs coach Shaun Bartlett: “May your soul rest in eternal peace coach Clive Barker. True legend of the game and only coach to have brought us the Afcon. Thank you for everything.”
Safa president Danny Jordaan: “Bafana Bafana winning the African Cup of Nations with a South African coach at the helm is still one of the standout moments in the history of African football. Clive Barker signaled the takeoff of Bafana Bafana to become the champion of Africa. He celebrated continuously on the touchline, spreading out his wings.”