Clive Barker passes away at the age of 78

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The South African football industry has lost a legend who made history during early days of a democratic South Africa almost three decades ago.

The country woke up to sad news on Saturday from the family of a 78 years old Clive Barker who is said to have away due to a disease.

One of his historical moments in his 40 years of service in the industry was when he coached the Bafana Bafana to victory at the 1996 African Cup of Nations on home soil, the first time the country appeared in the tournament after apartheid.

In the statement by the family, they thanked everyone who was involved in keeping him alive, tough as it was.

“We would like to express our 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.”

He was said to have been suffering from Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain.

More to follow on the story.