Ex-Stellenbosch star set for Steve Barker reunion at Simba | OneFootball

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Former Stellies star on the verge of Simba move

Photo: Ismael Olivier Toure

Former Stellenbosch FC defender Ismael Olivier Toure is on the verge of completing a move to Tanzanian giants Simba SC, Foot Africa has established.

The 28-year-old stalwart left Stellies for UAE Pro League outfit FC Baniyas at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

However, the move didn't pay dividends for both parties as Toure parted ways with the Middle East club in October, after amassing seven appearances across all competitions.

Now, he is set for a reunion with his former mentor at Stellenbosch, Steve Barker, who took over the reins at Simba last month.

The South African mentor is understood to have pushed the club's hierarchy to open talks with the Ivorian centre-back as he presented a perfect market opportunity.

Sources have indicated that talks between Simba and Toure's entourage are at an advanced stage, with both parties optimistic of striking a total agreement.

Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block, as the player is said to have agreed a three-year deal, with only finer details left to be ironed out to complete the transfer.

Notably, Toure was heavily linked with a move to Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs, prior to leaving the Cape Winelands outfit, but a deal never materialized.