The Barker touch will always be remembered at Maritzburg United, says Kadodia

The late, great Clive Barker may have been synonymous with AmaZulu and Durban Bush Bucks in KwaZulu-Natal, but his greatest and unspoken impact was with Maritzburg United.

The relegation-threatened club who beat Casric Stars 2-0 at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium KwaMhlanga in their Premier Soccer League promotion/relegation playoff has a lot to thank Barker for in their 20 years of existence.

Barker, who passed away nine days before his 79th birthday on Saturday after suffering from Lewy Body Dementia, saved his best coaching work for his home province.

READ | 'He ran like a flight about to take off': Class of '96 lead tributes to late Clive Barker

Barker's contribution to the development of the 'Team of Choice' wasn't forgotten by chairman Farouk Kadodia, who travelled with his side to Mpumalanga as they fight tooth and nail to retain their DStv Premiership status.

Kadodia told News24 after Maritzburg's win in Mpumalanga that Barker etched himself into the hearts of Maritzburg's citizens.

"He was an icon and the role he played in helping Bafana win the Afcon in 1996 will always remain in our hearts," Kadodia told News24 KwaMhlanga on Saturday afternoon.

"We're very happy that he was here with us when we started the club in 2003 and in the two initial seasons he spent with us, he helped build the club's brand.

"He was the icon that people used to identify the club, from where the foundation of support was laid because of his name.

"Clive will always be remembered in the hearts of all Maritzburg people."

Maritzburg United was also the last club Barker coached at professionally before he slunk off into quiet retirement.

He was with the club in their exciting and troubled 2015/16 season where he came in for Mandla Ncikazi after a