Former Kaizer Chiefs coach Farouk Khan has praised Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker for unearthing the talents of Ashley du Preez and Zwitha Kwinika, who have both joined Kaizer Chiefs duo.
Du Preez and Kwinika were two of the standout performers in the Stellies squad this season and instrumental in the Winelands outfit defying the odds and finishing in fourth position on the DStv Premiership standings. Khan believes Barker does not earn enough credit for his ability to find and mould hidden gems as he has done with the likes of Bongani Zungu, Andile Jali, Aubrey Ngoma, and Mothokozisi Yende during his days in charge at AmaTuks.
Khan’s Stars of Africa academy has itself produced some of South Africa’s top talent over recent years, including Ralani, May Mahlangu, Tokelo Rantie and Luther Singh, who have all had successful stints in Europe.
There are also many plying their trade locally like Kabelo Dlamini, Brandon Theron, Junaid Sait, Sibusiso Khumalo, Tshegofatso Nyama and Ayanda Nkili, who also had a spell in Scandinavia.
“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.”