Simba SC’s move to appoint Steve Barker as their new head coach was not a snap decision, with insiders revealing that the Tanzanian giants’ interest in the South African mentor had been months in the making.
Sources close to the situation have indicated that Barker first came onto Simba’s radar during last season's CAF Confederation Cup, when Stellenbosch FC faced the Dar es Salaam-based outfit in what was the Cape Winelands club’s maiden continental campaign.
Barker's tactical approach, organisation and calm leadership during that two-legged encounter are believed to have left a lasting impression on Simba’s technical decision-makers.
According to an insider, Simba officials continued to monitor Barker closely after those matches, tracking Stellenbosch’s domestic progress and consistency in the Betway Premiership, where the club remained competitive despite operating with a comparatively modest budget and regularly losing key players.
“The interest didn’t start now,” a source informed the Siya crew. “Simba were impressed with how Stellenbosch conducted themselves in the Confederation Cup and how Barker set his team up. From there, his name stayed in discussions internally, and when the opportunity presented itself, they moved decisively.”
Barker’s departure brings to an end a highly successful six-year spell at Stellenbosch, where he oversaw the club’s rise into a respected top-flight outfit, guided them into continental football and delivered historic milestones along the way.
While the move represents a major step forward in his coaching career, the 57-year-old admitted that leaving the club he helped shape was not easy.
“It is a bittersweet decision, but I feel the time is right for Stellenbosch to enter a new era with someone else at the helm, and I can only wish the Club continued success in the future,” Barker said.
The former AmaZulu and University of Pretoria coach added that the lure of leading one of Africa’s heavyweight clubs was a challenge he felt compelled to accept.
“I believe that taking up a new and exciting challenge at one of the biggest clubs on the continent is something I need to pursue to further my own personal growth and ambitions as a coach, and I’m grateful that my time with Stellenbosch has helped open that door.”
