In a bid to end Simba's struggle, the experienced South African tactician has roped in figures he trusts will help him in the mission. After making his name with Stellenbosch, it is time to test himself in a different environment, which comes with pressure given the ambition of the Kariokor giants season in and season out.
The 61-year-old parted ways with the Premier Soccer League newbies, Durban City, a couple of weeks ago after falling out with the management. He has now been given another massive assignment with the Western Cape Province-outfit who have not had a good start to the ongoing 2025/26 campaign. They are currently struggling for consistency.
Following the surprising departure of Steve Barker from the Cape Winelands outfit to join Simba SC in Tanzania, Stellies were faced with the crucial task of making the perfect appointment—someone who aligns with the club’s culture and has the ability to deliver on its mandate.
In an attempt to end Young Africans SC's dominance, the Wekundu wa Msimbazi appointed the experienced South African tactician. Barker made his name with the Winelands club, a team he mentored from a second-tier side into the Premier Soccer League. In order to boost their technical bench, the Tanzanian heavyweights are reported to be in talks with the football analyst who is expected to be incorporated into Barker's technical bench.
The current AFCON break has seen exciting development in the technical set-up of the Cape Winelands side. The incoming coach is expected to use this pause in action to drill players in his philosophy and demands before competitive football resumes in January. Adding intrigue, a former Amakhosi tactician is already being strongly linked with the Western Cape outfit.
The 57-year-old, who played for Wits University Football Club and SuperSport United, has been coaching in South Africa since 2008, but will now be plying trade outside Mzansi after accepting an offer from African heavyweights. It is a massive blow for Stellies, who have been struggling to push for top positions in the country's top-flight football.
It is always refreshing to hear some Premier Soccer League [PSL] players being linked with overseas clubs, especially big European leagues. In recent times, young players in South Africa have been getting their big moves to Europe or the USA, with the latest being talented former Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
The Buccaneers are strengthening their arsenal once again, securing another key signing as they intensify their push for league glory. With Pirates continuing their sweep through Western Cape talent, the Soweto giants are clearly gearing up to dominate on all fronts and leave no doubts about their title ambitions both in the Diski Challenge and in the Premier Soccer League.
PSL's top three clubs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, are naturally monitoring the talented player's situation, having raided the Winelands side for stars over the years. The highly rated forward will see his contract expire at the end of the season, and this means he is free to sign a pre-contract with a club of his choice from January 1.
The majority of the teams are working hard to realise their objectives, with the Premier Soccer League table taking shape ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break scheduled from late December to mid-January next year. One of the sides that have been doing well are Babina Noko, who are surprising many with their run in the league.
Five months into his tenure at the Bloemfontein outfit, Alexandre Lafitte has already driven the side to a major cup final. On Saturday, 6 December, the stage shifts to Polokwane where they clash with the mighty Buccaneers in the Carling Knockout Cup showdown - a battle for silverware and a shot at history.
The Maroons picked up a crucial point on the road against the Tanzanian outfit, with the match ending 1–1 as they continue to assert their recognisable presence on the continental stage. However, Stellies were left frustrated on Sunday after the draw — a result that coach Steve Barker believes could have been very different with fairer officiating.
The Cape Winelands side travelled to Zanzibar for their Group C clash against their Tanzanian opponents at Amaan Stadium on Sunday, 30 November. Having opened this phase of the tournament with a 1‑0 win over AS Otoho d’Oyo, Stellies were determined to build on that momentum and reclaim top spot in the pool, keeping their continental ambitions firmly alive.
GOAL gives you the details to follow the Cape Winelands side's trip to Zanzibar to face their Tanzanian opponents in this CAF Confederation Cup Group C match at Amaan Stadium on Sunday. After starting their campaign in this phase of the tournament with a 1-0 victory over AS Otoho d'Oyo, Stellies are out to build on that and reclaim the lead in this pool. Steve Barker's men have been struggling on the domestic front but doing well on the continent.
Teams are already working hard to identify the players who can improve their teams in the January Transfer window as they continue chasing their targets of the season. Among the teams that might end up losing some top players, as it has been the norm recently, is Steve Barker's Stellies, whose star has been linked with a move abroad.
In a high-octane Premier Soccer League at Olympia Park Stadium, fans were not only treated to drama but also to a classic football match as Stellenbosch grabbed a 2-1 win over Orbit College. Monnapule Saleng registered his third assist of the season, although his side was stunned by the opponent's late comeback.
The Mswenko Boys are set for a stern Stellies test in their midweek Premier Soccer League assignment, hoping to capitalise on Steve Barker’s men’s poor form as they push to climb the table. The Western Cape outfit has struggled this season, which explains why they are far from guaranteed a positive result.
The Maroons travel to Olympia Park Stadium on Wednesday evening in high spirits after their 1–0 victory in the CAF Confederation Cup group-stage campaign. They now turn their attention to the resilient Mswenko Boys, aiming to secure crucial points in their push to climb the Premier Soccer League log. Still battling to escape the relegation zone, the Western Cape team sits on nine points in 15th place, while their opponents hold a four-point advantage above them.
The Western Cape side pulled out all the tricks in the book when they took their Congolese opponents, AS Otohô to Polokwane due to stadium unavailability in the Mother City. The move ultimately worked in Stellies’ favour, as they walked away with maximum points at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, securing a one-nil victory in the dying minutes. It was the perfect start to their continental campaign, especially after falling short in the semi-finals of the previous competition.
It was almost the perfect weekend for Mzansi sides in continental football. Mamelodi Sundowns were in CAF Champions League action on Saturday, while Stellenbosch FC and Kaizer Chiefs did duty in the Confederation Cup on Sunday. Downs, although slightly underwhelming, managed to beat Orlando Pirates slayers Saint Eloi-Lupopo at home. Stellies, meanwhile, left it late to see off Otoho d’Oyo. It was then over to Amakhosi to ensure South African teams completed a perfect outing in the CAF interclub competition, but they disappointed.
Last season’s CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalists, Stellies, launched their group stage journey at New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday, 23 November. The Cape Winelands outfit, who thrilled fans with a deep run in the previous campaign, fell short in the last four against Tanzania’s Simba SC but now return determined to go further.
The Winelands club have been a steady PSL mainstay since they gained promotion to the top division in 2019. Last season saw them compete in continental competition for the first time where they reached the semi finals of the CAF Confederations Cup. Now, however, they find themselves mired in a relegation fight while trying to balance the demands of CAF competition once again.
There’s no doubt, Mzansi football is on the up. One just needs to take one look at the performances of Bafana Bafana over the last few years. Since Hugo Broos took charge, the national team has improved significantly, and the recent nominations of SA players at the CAF Awards were a testament to that fact.
Four South African representatives will fly the flag at the 2025 CAF Awards after the Confederation of African Football unveiled its finalists on Sunday, November 16. With places secured across different categories, the announcement highlights the growing influence of South African football on the continental stage and sets the tone for a night of recognition and pride.
All of the Premier Soccer League's Big Three won in Round 12 of the season, with the two Soweto clubs putting in statement wins that will have the Chloorkop faithful starting to worry about their ninth league title in a row. There were standout performers in those matches and across the other mid-week fixtures in the final domestic league games before the international break.
A former Kaizer Chiefs head coach masterminded a slim win for his side courtesy of a goal struck by an ex-Mamelodi Sundowns star. It was also good news for the Bucs' legend, whose side registered a win and a clean sheet against their rivals. For Barker, the loss will leave him in a more precarious situation, even though he has guided the Maroons to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage.
Stellenbosch FC
