Clash is a Barker family duel

The conversation around the dinner table will be a little bit tense between Clive Barker and his nephew Steve as the two face off in a league fixture for their respective clubs on Saturday.

Clive's Mpumalanga Black Aces and Steve's bottom-of-the-log AmaZulu meet in a must-win Absa Premiership clash on Saturday night.

But this is only temporary as Clive is keen to resume his role as a close confidant to Steve, who took up a daunting task in November to save Usuthu from relegation.

Yesterday, the former Bafana Bafana coach backed his nephew to help the KwaZulu-Natal side stay up even if they lose to Aces on Saturday.

"I love Stevie like a son and cheered for every goal when they beat SuperSport United 5-2.

"I had a glass of wine on his behalf because he has been up against it for seven or eight matches," Clive said.

"I am very proud of how the hierarchy at AmaZulu have supported him and didn't put him under extra pressure. I've got a feeling he will get out of it, but it's a hell of an ask. I would think it is important to first get past the team that is above them [second-from-bottom Platinum Stars] and aim for the play-off."

But Barker senior will be in no mood to donate points, given that Aces, who are in 12th place, could easily be dragged into the relegation quagmire themselves if they fail to get some type of consistency with only 10 matches remaining.

AmaZayoni were 3-1 winners in the corresponding fixture in December.

"This one will be totally different because Steve's got them better organised now and will have them fired up, but I would like to get the three points on offer," said the veteran coach.

Asked whether his nephew had sought his opinion before handing troublesome but experienced defender Mbulelo "OJ" Mabizela a six-month contract, Barker senior said he did not hesitate telling the AmaZulu coach to sign the former Bafana skipper.

"What happened here [Mabizela and Clive's bust-up at Aces] was a terrible blow-up that shouldn't have happened. Things were said, but all's forgiven. So when he called me about 'OJ' I told him to go for it," Clive said.