The late Clive Barker. Image: Twitter.
From Mosimane to Hunt: Tributes pour in for Clive Barker
Tributes have poured in for the late great Clive Barker, with the likes of Pitso Mosimane and Gavin Hunt sharing special messages.
The late Clive Barker. Image: Twitter.
It was sadly confirmed on Saturday that former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker has passed away at the age of 78 after a long battle with illness.
Barker, who famously led Bafana Bafana to the 1996 African Cup of Nations title, was admitted to a Durban hospital late last year when he was treated for an aneurysm, a condition that hinders the flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
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Although Barker spoke positively about his recovery, it was confirmed earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. LBD is described as “the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s disease”, which he succumbed to on Saturday, 10 June.
Barker also coached at club level, and among the teams he led were the likes of AmaZulu, Manning Rangers, Bush Bucks, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Bidvest Wits.
After his passing, special tributes poured in from the likes of coaches Pitso Mosimane and Gavin Hunt among so many others.
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FULL STATEMENT ON THE PASSING AWAY OF CLIVE BARKER
“It is with profound sadness that the family of former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker announce his passing on Saturday, 10 June after a brave battle with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD),” read a statement by his family.
“Clive, 78, led South Africa to their only continental triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 1996, and also steered the side to a maiden World Cup appearance in France in 1998, and is fondly remembered by fans across the country, as has been evident by the tremendous support he received after falling ill.
“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.
“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.
“We will provide details of the memorial service in the coming days and ask the family’s privacy be respected at this very difficult time.”
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