Coaching styles collide: Tactically aware Barker versus data-driven Davids

Herman Gibbs

There will be no shortage of game intelligence as Stellenbosch FC and Tanzanian giants Simba SC prepare for Sunday’s CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first-leg clash in Zanzibar (3pm kick-off). Stellenbosch’s Steve Barker and Simba’s Fadlu Davids have crossed paths many times in the Premier Soccer League, working as coaches. The same could be said about assistant coaches Wesley Sergel (Stellenbosch) and Darian Wilken (Simba), who have worked for various PSL clubs and know each other well. None are waging a prediction except that a South African will prevail in the final. In the build-up to the match, the coaching teams have been complimentary. However, the clash of the two sideline strategists will thrust the spotlight on the capabilities of South African coaches, who seldom feature in the later rounds of…

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Sunday Independent (Digital) - 1 Issue, 2025-04-20

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