Long-serving Stellenbosch goalkeeper Lee Langeveldt has shared the
“special moments” he will cherish under former coach Steve Barker, following
the end of Barker’s historic eight-and-a-half-year tenure.
Barker, the longest-serving coach at one club in the PSL era, built a
reputation for developing talent, transforming unknowns and overlooked
players into stars. Under his guidance, players such as Iqraam Rayners,
Ashley Du Preez, and Sibongiseni Mthethwa earned big moves to clubs like
Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Reflecting on Barker’s legacy, Langeveldt highlighted two defining
achievements. “I would say that first season when we won the NFD. He rebuilt
a brand new team. It was a really special season, and of course winning the
Carling Knockout was really special,” the 39-year-old goalkeeper told PSLSA.
“It was the first trophy for the club. Those were two really special moments
for me with him at the helm.”
Langeveldt also expressed disappointment at falling short in the MTN8 final
twice—both times to Orlando Pirates—especially in what turned out to be
Barker’s final season.
“It was a big disappointment for everyone. We played really well in this
season’s final. We were unlucky; just after the substitutions, the game got
away. I thought we could have won it—it was a really close game,” he said.
“We were all hoping to give him that trophy. We didn’t know he was going to
leave, but I know he wanted it. So ja, we missed out.”
Barker’s departure marks the end of an era at Stellenbosch, a period in
which he established the club as a competitive force, culminating in Carling
Knockout success and a memorable run to the CAF Confederation Cup
semi-finals.
