Former Bafana Bafana coach Clive "The Dog" Barker has been laid to rest in a special provincial ceremony that was held at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) today. Baker died last week after a long illness at the age of 78.
CREMATION
ZiMoja understands that Barker's funeral was held after he had already been cremated in a private ceremony attended by close family and friends. Barker died last week Saturday after spending six months in hospital. Barker who was Bafana Bafana coach when the national team won the African Nations Cup in 1996 died has been fighting Lewy Body Dementia for some time. Lewy Body Dementia is a sickness which affects your brain and causes problems with thinking, movement, mood and behaviour. Barker was born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in 1945.
CHARISMATIC COACH AND FATHER FIGURE
Barker's sons Gavin and John Baker described him as a charismatic and positive coach, saying he was no different at home. "He was a great husband to my mother, an amazing father to Gavin and me and a wonderful grandfather to his grandkids. We have great memories of our children playing soccer, cricket and swimming with their grandfather. Him being in their lives will definitely help to shape their lives in the most positive way," John said. In a statement, the South African Football Association said Barker played a huge role in making sure that Bafana Bafana was known globally. "Clive 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 received after falling ill. "Clive will be remembered by South Africa 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," read a statement.
TRIBUTES
Former Bafana Bafana and Amazulu FC top striker George Dearnaley paid an emotional tribute to his former coach saying he was not just a coach but a father figure whom they enjoyed working with. Celebrated commentator Mark Gleeson also thanked Barker for elevating Bafana to new heights after their dismal performances in the formation years of the team in the early 90s. Former member of the now defunct kwaito group TKZee member Loyiso Bala and legendary gospel singer Rebecca Malope were amongst the people who paid their last respect to Barker. Before his legendary career as a coach, Barker was a promising football player whose professional debut came in 1962 for Durban City, a club that has since been dissolved. The life-changing moment for Barker came when he sustained a serious knee injury trialling for Leicester City. Barker's coaching career spanned an impressive 42 years, during which he mentored various teams including AmaZulu, Manning Rangers, Durban City, Durban Bush Bucks, Santos Cape Town, Wits and Maritzburg United. Notable achievements include leading Durban City to consecutive league titles in 1982 and 1983 and guiding Durban Bush Bucks to honours in 1985.
