South Africa ( SABC NEWS ) South Africa failed to honour the late Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker while he was still alive, that’s the sentiments of former Bafana Bafana player Doctor Khumalo.
Khumalo joined other soccer legends at Barker’s funeral service in Durban. He was granted a special provincial official funeral.
Barker remains the only South African coach to have won a major title with Bafana Bafana, the African Cup of Nations and also led the team to qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup in 1998.
Clive Barker’s decorated coaching career includes leading a number of KwaZulu-Natal based clubs, Durban City, Durban Bushbucks, Manning Rangers and AmaZulu.
He went further to coach the Bafana Bafana team that won 1996 African Cup of Nations. Two years later, in 1998 the national side qualified for the FIFA World Cup under his watch.
Former Bafana Bafana players paid emotional tributes. Many could not hold back their tears.
However, Doctor Khumalo says South Africa simply did not honour Barker while he was still alive.
“This is not just a coach that we bid farewell to, he is a father figure to many soccer players or former players. I just want to say that this man deserved better, we should have acknowledged him whilst he was still alive. If anyone in this hall can tell me who achieved much as Clive did then I will agree but at the moment I strongly believe that we failed him as a nation. Not only 1996 players managed to go on to greener pastures but I would love to say to Clive thank very much for putting smiles in all South African faces.”
