Director of Stars of Africa Football Academy Farouk Khan believes Steve Barker should be credited for playing a role in the rise of new Kaizer Chiefs duo Zitha Kwinika and Ashley Du Preez.
Khan, a former Chiefs assistant coach, says coach Barker doesn't get the recognition he deserves. He nurtured several players such as Bongani Zungu, Andile Jali, Aubrey Ngoma, and Mothokozisi Yende during his days at AmaTuks.
Barker, who was announced as the DStv Premiership Coach of the Month award winner for May 2022, has now seen Kwninika and Du Preez blossom under his guidance.
"I think Coach Steve has done a fantastic job because remember this boy [Kwinika] came from the Chiefs academy, and then he played under different coaches at Chippa United, Bidvest Wits and settled at Stellenbosch under Steve, who has done an exceptional job," Khan told the Siya crew.
"We must compliment him as coaches like Steve don't get the credit for what they are doing, not only with Zitha but also with the other boy who is also coming to Chiefs, Du Preez, and many other players.
"The development at Stellenbosch have done a great job under Boebie Solomons. Sometimes when we talk about the player, we do it in isolation, like they fell out of the heavens and landed on earth and just started playing football; we don't talk about the people that mould these players like Steve.
"I mean, Zitha left Chiefs years ago, and the club failed to see his potential, so people at Chippa, Wits also deserved credit because Chiefs didn't see his value, and all these clubs made him a good player that Amakhosi are now buying, they couldn't see his quality, such a pity," concluded Khan.
Both Kwinika and Du Preez played a vital role in Stellies' march to a fourth place finish on the DStv Premiership table this past campaign.
Bernard Parker and Dumisani Zuma have been added to this list of players released by Chiefs:
