Steve Barker coach of Stellenbosch FC during the Betway Premiership 2025/26 match between TS Galaxy FC and Stellenbosch FC at Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on 02 November 2025 ©Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Friday Dec 19, 2025. 18:10
Simba SC has unveiled Steve Barker as the club’s new head coach.
The club made the announcement on its social media platforms on Friday.
Stellenbosch has yet to announce the departure of its long-standing coach.
Barker joined Stellenbosch in its infancy at the beginning of the 2017/18 season and led the club to the National First Division title the following season, earning promotion to the top flight.
The now 57-year-old would lead the club to great heights, including the Carling Knockout title in the 23/24 season, two consecutive MTN8 final appearances (2024/25 and 2025/26), two consecutive third-place finishes in the Betway Premiership, and the semi-finals of the CAF Confederations Cup in the club’s continental debut (2024/25).
Despite the club’s dramatic ascent and success, the Maroons have struggled this season, losing out on silverware in the MTN8 final and sitting one point above the relegation zone in the league. The Maroons have managed three wins, three draws and eight losses from their 14 league games and were sent packing from the Carling Knockout by Marumo Gallants, who gave them a 4-0 thumping in the quarterfinals.
The club has continually allowed its top performing players to leave and join other domestic clubs such as Ashley Du Preez (Kaizer Chiefs), Zitha Kwinika (Kaizer Chiefs), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Deano van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates) Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns) and recently Sihle Nduli (Orlando Pirates) and Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), with New Zealand international Andre de Jong set to join Nduli and van Rooyen at Pirates in late January.
Bulgarian tactician Dimitar Pantev joined Simba in early October to replace Fadlu Davids, who left the club in September, joining Raja Casablanca.
Simba parted ways with Pantev earlier on Friday.
The Reds of Msimbazi sit fifth in the Tanzanian Premier League with 12 points from four wins and one loss, and bottom of group D in the CAF Champions League with two losses from two games.