clive barker, bafana bafana

Former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker remembered by his son.
Images via Instagram: @johnbarker183

‘A hero’: Clive Barker’s son shares emotional tribute [photo]

Clive Barker’s son John shared a touching tribute dedicated to the ‘hero’ former Bafana Bafana coach who died on Saturday…

clive barker, bafana bafana

Former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker remembered by his son.
Images via Instagram: @johnbarker183

South African soccer fans are mourning the death of former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker. And sharing a touching tribute on social media is the sporting star’s own star.

The legendary icon – who helped the national team clinch the Africa Cup of Nations title in 1996 – died on Saturday, 10 June. He was 78 years old.

ALSO READ:  Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker passes away

CLIVE BARKER’S SON SHARES TRIBUTE AFTER HIS DEATH

Confirming his death, Clive’s son John shared in a Twitter tribute: “Today I say goodbye to my father, Clive Barker. He was a hero to many people in South Africa and Africa. 

“He was a great father and a soccer legend. We will miss you. RIP, Dad. I love you”.

John – a filmmaker – is one of two children shared by Clive and his wife, Yvonne.

According to the Barker family, Clive battled a series of health setbacks in recent months. This included a brain aneurysm in January and his Lewy Body Dementia diagnosis in March.

The family shared in a statement: “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 Barker, bafana bafana
Clive Barker has died at age 78. Image via Instagram: @johnbarker183

They added: “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.

“We have been overwhelmed by the enormous outpouring of love and support for Clive since he was first diagnosed with LBD, and this is a testament to the coach, friend, and mentor he was to not only several generations of footballers but also anyone who crossed his path in the sport he so dearly loved. 

A memorial service will be announced in the coming days. 

WHAT IS LEWY BODY DEMENTIA?

According to Alzeihemers Association, Lewy Body Dementia is the “progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function.”.

Named after medical doctor Frederich H. Lewy who discovered them in 1912, Lewy Bodies are abnormal protein deposits that are found in neurons of the brain. These bodies affect the central and autonomic nervous systems.

Symptoms of LBD include:

  • Muscle stiffness, slow or frozen movement
  • Tremors and shaking
  • Fainting and repeatedly falling over
  • Confusion and delirious state
  • Loss of coordination
  • Hallucinations