Steve Barker scoops Coach of the Month award in Tanzania

Barker recognized abroad

Africa Today at 11:59

Steve Barker scoops Coach of the Month award in Tanzania

Photo: Mzansi Football

Simba SC head coach Steve Barker has been named the NBC Tanzania Premier League Coach of the Month for May.

The South African tactician guided the Reds of Msimbazi to five wins and a draw in the Kariakoo derby against fierce rivals Young Africans last month.

Barker beat Fountain Gate's Fred Felix Minziro and Florent Ibenge of Azam FC to the top award after the unbeaten run in May.

The former Stellenbosch FC mentor has now clinched the monthly gong three times since taking over the reins at Simba.

He was lured to East Africa in December 2025, succeeding Bulgarian mentor Dimitar Pantev, who was axed after a string of poor results.

The 58-year-old gaffer was tasked with dethroning Yanga, who have won the league title four times in a row, and are gunning for a fifth championship on the trot.

Simba currently trail log leaders Yanga by two points, having amassed 58 points in 25 matches with five rounds of fixtures remaining in the 2025/26 season.

Notably, Barker guided his troops to the Muungano Cup triumph over Yanga in April, clinching his first piece of silverware as Simba boss.

Whether he will topple Timu Ya Mwananchi remains to be seen, as he gears his team up for a visit from Pamba Jiji on Sunday, 14 June.