Steve Barker: South African Coach Dumps Premier Soccer League Side for African Giants

• South African manager Steve Barker has decided to leave Premier Soccer League side Stellenbosch for a move abroad
• The 57-year-old spent nine years with the Stellies and turned them into one of the top clubs in the PSL under his leadership
• Premier Soccer League fans took to social media to share their opinion on Barker's decision to leave the Maroons for another African club

South African coach Steve Barker has surprisingly left Premier Soccer League side Stellenbosch FC for African giants Simba SC. The 57-year-old ended his nine-year stint with the Maroons.

Barker played a pivotal role in transforming the Winelands outfit from a second-division side into a Betway Premiership club and establishing it as one of the leading teams in South African football. They are competing in the CAF Confederation Cup for the second consecutive season.

The Stellies have struggled this season under Barker, starting with their loss in the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates, a team that has been dominating the Premier Soccer League this season while also winning the Carling Knockout Cup.

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Barker joins Simba SC from Stellenbosch

The decision took many by surprise when it was officially announced by Simba on Friday. The Tanzanian club is already familiar with South African coaches, having enjoyed success under Fadlu Davids, who guided them to last season’s CAF Confederation Cup final after eliminating Stellenbosch in the semi-finals.

The South African tactician replaces Dimitar Pantev, who had led the team since October after stepping in for fellow Mzansi coach Davids, now in charge at Raja Casablanca.

Simba SC confirmed in an official statement that the Premier Soccer League coach has signed a two-year contract with them, and he is expected to resume duties soon.

“The club’s board has reached an agreement to appoint Steve Robert Barker as the head coach of our team for a period of two years,” the Tanzanian giants' statement reads.

The Tanzanian side also stated that Barker would be accompanied by four members of his technical staff, with the group expected to travel to the East African country soon.

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“Barker will come with his four assistants and will arrive in the country any time from now,” the club statement concluded.

Here is what PSL fans are saying on social media regarding Barker's surprise move away from Stellenbosch FC to join Simba SC.

Lungisani Carburator Ngubane said:

"That’s good news for Barker. Stellenbosch FC overplayed him—selling key players and not bringing in quality replacements. You can’t expect a coach to perform magic under those conditions, no, no, no. Barker is right to move on. Just look now, they’re in a dangerous position in the league, and that’s because the Stellenbosch FC management has been selfish and failed to support the team properly."

Buhle Mkhutshwa shared:

"This is great news... The man has been working hard, shaping Stellies into the powerhouse that they are today."

Nkosinathi Fuze implied:

"I'm afraid Stellenbosch FC might be relegated this season."

Mukhacani Timtose wrote:

"Very bad for Stellenbosch FC, is the end of Stellenbosch FC, or someone can take over and make the team survive, otherwise no team from Cape Town next season unless if Capetown city can make a miracle."

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Vincent Mabunela reacted:

"😁I thought he had a lifetime contract there; it was beginning to look like it's his family's team."

Ntoyami Lumumlomo added:

"Guys, let us farewell stellies, we will see them when they come back from the Motsepe Championship."

Pirates sign new player from PSL rivals

Briefly News also reported that Orlando Pirates have signed a new player ahead of the January transfer window from their PSL rivals.

The Soweto-based club have reportedly been chasing the player since the summer, before reaching an agreement with his club this December.

Source: Briefly News