Desiree Ellis, the only South African coach to emulate the late Clive Barker’s success of winning the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), has praised the legendary Bafana Bafana coach for making her “dream big.”
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis hailed Clive Barker as a “history making coach who made every football loving South Africa believe that it is possible to conquer the world”
The late Bafana Bafana coach, revered for leading South Africa to their only men’s Afcon triumph in 1996, died at the age of 78 on Saturday.
It took the equally history making Desiree Ellis to match the dizzy heights that Barker set when she coached Banyana Banyana to their maiden Africa Cup of Nations victory in Morocco in 2022, a staggering 26-years after that crowning moment.
“He certainly led the way. I was only a player watching on television as coach Clive Barker achieved what seemed impossible. I saw what it meant for South Africa and myself. The whole country uniting behind that victory is one of my greatest moments. It inspired me and many others that love the sport of football. It made us dream big,” said Ellis.
Ellis to make history
Ellis, who will be out to make more history when she leads Banyana Banyana in the Women’s World Cup next month, said they plan to make Barker and all of South Africa proud.
“Our biggest honour, going into the World Cup, is to play with heart and bring the same joy and pride to South Africa. We want to make him and every South African proud of our participation,” said Ellis.
Barker was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) in March. He was also treated at a Durban hospital in January for an aneurysm that affected his blood flow.
“I met his son recently at a book launch and he told me that coach Barker was still not well. Although we all knew he was struggling health wise, I am still deeply saddened by his passing. My condolences go to his family and the whole of South Africa,“ said Ellis.
Barker’s family announced his death in a statement on Saturday morning.
“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),” read the statement.
Clive Barker fought a great battle
The family said the much loved coach fought a brave battle and are relieved that 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.
OTHER SOCCER NEWS:Former Bafana coach Barker passes away
“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 that the family’s privacy be respected at this very difficult time,” the statement further reads.