Cape Winelands side Stellenbosch FC confirmed on Saturday morning that coach Steve Barker has left the team and joined Tanzanian giants Simba SC.
The 57-year-old Barker, who was born in Maseru, Lesotho, was announced as the new Simba mentor on Friday after he spent just over eight years as Stellies head coach.
“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,” a Stellies statement said on Saturday.
Having initially joined Stellies as an assistant to Sammy Troughton, Barker was then appointed head coach in July 2017, an appointment that would help establish the team as a household name in South African football.
Under his guidance where he led the team in 309 matches across all competitions, Stellies gained promotion to the Premier Division as 2018-19 National First Division champions, before becoming the first-ever team to win the revamped Carling Knockout in 2023.
Barker also guided the club to back-to-back MTN8 finals in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He also took Stellies to consecutive CAF Confederation Cup qualifications.
“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.
“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. I would like to thank each and every person at the club for playing such an important and influential role in my time at Stellenbosch. I will forever cherish the memories we made together.”
Meanwhile, Stellies chief executive officer Rob Benadie paid tribute to Barker for his remarkable service and for helping build the foundations that will ensure a seamless transition into a new era for the club.
“Steve’s achievements on the field speak for themselves, but his influence has been just as important in helping shape the culture, identity and professional standards that have become synonymous with Stellenbosch FC in recent years,” Benadie said.
“To serve a single club for nearly nine years in the modern game reflects not only remarkable loyalty, but also a deep commitment to our long-term vision, which remains firmly on track thanks in no small part to his contributions. While Steve’s departure marks the end of an important and fruitful chapter in our history, the club is well-positioned for the future with the belief that our structures and philosophy will ensure continuity and stability as we move into the next phase of our journey.
“Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude, both personally and on behalf of Stellenbosch FC, to Steve and his family for their commitment and support throughout his time at the club. We wish them nothing but success in Tanzania.”
