
Mabizela joined the KZN club after falling out with Barker's uncle, Clive Barker, at Mpumalanga Black Aces.
But despite Mabizela's long and chequered history going all the way back to his time at Tottenham Hotspur over a decade ago, AmaZulu boss Barker is adamant that the former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana centre-back will be a positive influence in Durban.
"I think people overstate what he has done. He hasn't had any incidences in the past three years except obviously a fall-out with the previous coach [Clive Barker at Black Aces]," Barker told AfricanFootball.com.
"Since he has joined the team it's just been a pleasure to work with him and I can already see the difference he is making."