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 brink of sealing a switch to Tanzanian football giants Simba SC, Foot Africa has learned.

The 28-year-old left the Stellies for UAE Pro League side FC Baniyas after the 2024/25 season wrapped up.

But things didn’t work out for either party, with Toure parting ways with the Middle East club in October after making just seven appearances across all competitions.

Now, Toure is primed for a reunion with his former coach at Stellenbosch, Steve Barker, who took charge of Simba last month.

The South African tactician is believed to have urged Simba’s management to open talks with the Ivorian centre-back, identifying him as a perfect fit in the transfer market.

Sources indicate that negotiations between Simba and Toure’s representatives are at an advanced stage, with both sides confident of reaching a full agreement soon.

Personal terms are not expected to be an obstacle, with the player reportedly agreeing to a three-year contract—leaving only the final details to be ironed out before the move is made official.

Interestingly, Toure was strongly linked with a transfer to Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs before his departure from the Cape Winelands side, but that move failed to materialise.