Six coaches who can succeed Barker at Stellenbosch FC

Following coach Steve Barker’s abrupt exit from South Africa’s top-flight league side Stellenbosch FC, the Betway Premiership side is surely hunting for a replacement for the man who is now in charge of Simba SC in Tanzania.

Pan-Africa Football looks at the potential candidates to take over the serial MTN 8 bridesmaids.

Gavin Hunt

If Stellenbosch FC want a seamless coaching transition, then the former Durban City mentor is the go-to man. He is a perfect fit with his direct route-one football which Stellenbosch are good at. The experience of Hunt in winning the Premier Soccer League (PSL) championships with defunct SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits FC makes him the right man to take the club to the next level. All Stellenbosch need at this stage is translating their ability to reach the final of cups into the ultimate elusive silverware. Hunt, keep your mobile phone switched on!

Cavin Johnson

The former Platinum Stars and Kaizer Chiefs mentor has not kept a steady job since leaving Al Ahly where he worked under Pitso Mosimane two years ago. Just like Hunt, he is experienced and has won silverware before. His calm demeanour makes him the right replacement for Barker.

Manqoba Mngqithi

To be brutally honest, the former Mamelodi Sundowns boss is at home with Lamontville Golden Arrows working on a project to build a solid squad without any sort of pressure. The seasoned tactician might find the comfort zone unchallenging and be tempted by the prospect of not only competing for domestic silverware, but also in Africa. Afterall, Stellenbosch are already in the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup. Teacher, this project sounds good for you!

Owen Da Gama

Fired at Magesi FC and Botswana’s Black Lions FC: Such has been the story for the veteran tactician. However, when you bring context into circumstances behind his dismissals from both jobs, you realise he wasn’t a failure on both occasions. Da Gama saved Magesi FC from relegation last season and even earned coach-of-the-month accolade. His sacking, therefore, is questionable with his successor John Maduka not doing much better in this campaign. In Botswana, Owen Da Gama inherited a rushed project of a club that found itself in the top-flight league by default and expecting instant results is unrealistic.

Pitso Mosimane

Looking at how elevated his profile has become since dumping Sundowns in 2020, Stellenbosch FC should not be among his potential employers but rather the South Africa national team and something bigger abroad. But strange things happen in football. The mere fact that he is unemployed and on the market, makes him a candidate also. Jingles what do you think?

Jose Riveiro

Having managed Orlando Pirates successfully only for his dream-switch to Al Ahly in Egypt to backfire, the Spaniard would surely be tempted to give it another try and prove himself again.

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