Steve Barker’s remarkable eight-year tenure at Stellenbosch FC has come to a rather unexpected end.
The news was first revealed by Tanzanian giants Simba SC, announcing the 57-year-old tactician as their new head coach.
Stellies have since confirmed Barker has departed after 309 games in maroon, the National First Division and Carling Knockout trophies.
STELLENBOSCH FC SAY GOODBYE TO STEVE BARKER
The Lesotho-born coach, formerly with the University of Pretoria (AmaTuks), joined Stellies back in 2017 in the NFD, now known as the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC).
In Barker’s eight-year spell at Stellenbosch, he guided the maroons to the 2018/19 National First Division title, lifted the Carling Knockout Cup in 2023, finished as MTN8 runners-up on two occasions, reached the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals, and secured third place in the league in back-to-back seasons between 2023/24 and 2024/25.
The club has since confirmed the news: “Stellenbosch FC can confirm that Steve Barker has stepped down from his position as Head Coach in order to take up a new role abroad with Tanzanian Premier League side Simba SC,” the note said.
Steve Barker was also available to reveal his reasons for the departure: “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,” he said.
Stellenbosch FC CEO Rob Benadie said Barker’s achievements on the field spoke for themselves, but added that his influence had been equally vital in shaping the club’s culture, identity, and professional standards in recent years.
Benadie also noted that serving a single club for nearly nine years in the modern game reflected remarkable loyalty and a deep commitment to Stellenbosch FC’s long-term vision, which he said remained firmly on track largely due to Barker’s contributions.
