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COSAFA mourns the passing of former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker, who sadly passed away on Saturday. We send our deepest condolences to his family.
Clive Barker coached South Africa’s Bafana Bafana team with whom he won the 1996 Nations Cup on home soil in the country’s first appearance in the tournament. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the medical professionals who have treated Clive over the past six months. He fought a brave battle and we are relieved that he is now at peace,” said a statement from Clive Barker’s family according to COSAFA.
Clive Barker is the one who helped South Africa win their only trophy at the AFCON. It was also he who allowed them to play in a first World Cup in France in 1998. “South Africans will remember Clive for his role in bringing a nation together around the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, but to us he was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and he will be greatly missed,” the statement continued.
Below is a family statement:
It is with profound sadness that the family of former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker announce his passing on Saturday, 10 June after a brave battle with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD).
Clive, 78, 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 he received after falling ill.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the medical professionals who cared for Clive over the past six months,” the Barker family says. “He fought a brave battle and we are relieved he is now at peace.
“Clive will be remembered by South Africans 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.
“We have been overwhelmed by the enormous outpouring of love and support for Clive since he was first diagnosed with LBD, and this is a testament to the coach, friend and mentor he was to not only several generations of footballers, but also anyone who crossed his path in the sport he so dearly loved.
“We will provide details of the memorial service in the coming days, and ask the family’s privacy be respected at this very difficult time.”
Source:COSAFA Website