Wits replace Habas with Barker
BidVest Wits have confirmed that they have parted ways with coach Antonio Habas.
The Spaniard has been replaced until the end of the season by the veteran former Bafana Bafana tactician Clive Barker.
“Antonio Lopez has requested that, due to personal and private reasons, he be released from his contract, due to expire at the end of the season,” the club said in a statement.
“We have acceded to his request and we are in the process of finalising the necessary paperwork in this regard. Antonio Lopez has been an exemplary professional and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
Wits then confirmed that Barker, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with South Africa in 1996, will take charge for the second half of the season.
He will begin his duties on Monday and will be assisted by former national team goalkeeper Andre Arendse.
Wits had a disappointing first half of the season despite investing heavily in new playing personnel.
They finished the first 16 rounds of league action in ninth, well below the targets set for the side, who had expected to be among the front-runners this season.
It is the second time that Habas has vacated a PSL clubs for “personal reasons”, leaving Mamelodi Sundowns under the same pretense in 2011.
