Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker has revealed how he discovered what would be one of South Africa’s most decorated players in Andile Jali.
Barker has grown a reputation as a coach with a sniper-like eye for talent with emergence of the likes of Jayden Adams who is with Bafana Bafana at AFCON, Olwethu Makhanya who has moved to the MLS and the emerging Antonio Van Wyk.
Barker’s belief in promoting youth has seen nine players promoted to the first team from Stellies academy in the last two seasons alone.
READ | Pirates star: I was ready and willing to represent my country
Speaking to SuperSport TV's PSL Heroes, the Carling Knockout winning coach revealed how he came to spot a 17-year-old Jali who go on to be a four-time winner with Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.
"I think was scouted through a programme called Coca-Cola (Coca-Cola football stars) many years back and then they to the High-Performance Centre in the University of Pretoria where I was working at the time," Barker said.
"During that Coca-Cola football stars, I heard there was a player called Andile Jali who had all the attributes to become a top class footballer.
"From sort of watching him through that series we signed him and yes, he’s gone on and had a really good career.
On his keen eye for talent, Barker said it was a combination of faith and experience.
"It's just seeing what players can do on the field, sometimes it’s a gut feeling but also the years of experience of having been in the game," added barker.
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