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Baker’s family announced on Saturday morning that the coach had passed away on June 10th, after a brave battle with lewy body dementia (LBD).
The South African football fraternity is in mourning following the demise of former National football team head coach Clive Barker.
Baker’s family announced on Saturday morning that the coach had passed away on June 10th, after a brave battle with lewy body dementia (LBD).
They also thanked South Africa for the enormous support from South Africa ever since Clive Baker was diagnosed with the illness.
“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,” the statement read.
“He was to not only several generations of footballers but also anyone who crossed his path in the sport he so dearly loved.”
The South African Football Association President, Danny Jordan, also expressed his disappointment with the passing of the former national team coach, who he credited for signalling the takeoff of Bafana Bafana to become the champions of Africa.
“The passing of Clive Barker saddens us after a long Illness; 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,” Jordan stated.
“He has made a major contribution to South African football. He managed to build a strong administration for the team, the captains and the players of that side,” he added.
About Clive Barker
A promising midfielder for Durban United whose playing career ended prematurely in 1969 by a knee injury, Barker coached unfashionable Durban City to back-to-back National Professional Soccer League titles in 1982 and 1983 that shocked the South African hierarchy.
He coached Amazulu, Bidvest Wits and Mpumalanga Black Aces after he led Bafana Bafana to their only Africa Cup of Nations title. Bafana Bafana has never reached another AFCON final since 1996.
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