He is one of South Africa's most celebrated veteran football coaches. His success spans over 42 years. Durban-born coach mentored teams including AmaZulu, Durban City, Durban Bush Bucks, Manning Rangers, Santos Cape Town, and Wits. The family of veteran Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker confirms his passing at 78 years old.

BATTLING LEWY BODY DEMENTIA

In a statement sent to ZiMoja, the Barker family confirmed that he passed on Saturday, 10 June after a brave battle with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). "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)," the statement read. Lewy Body Dementia is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These affect chemicals in the brain whose changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood.

GRATITUDE

The Barker family expresses their sincere gratitude to the medical professionals who cared for Clive over the past six months. "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," the statement proceeds. '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." 

The Barker family will provide details of the memorial service in the coming days and ask the family's privacy to be respected at this very difficult time.