Richards Bay drop new coach bomb — Balkan tactician lands on KZN shores
Richards Bay Football Club have moved fast. The Natal Rich Boys have appointed Bulgarian coach Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev as head coach on a one-year deal with an option to renew, the club confirmed on Monday.
“Richards Bay Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev as the Head Coach,” the club said. “He has signed for one season with an option to renew.”
Pantev, 50, arrives with a UEFA A Licence and a CV built across East and Southern Africa.
He has previously taken charge of Tanzania giants Simba SC as well as Botswana sides Jwaneng Galaxy and Gaborone United.
The club highlighted a run of continental and domestic success. “Pantev played a key role in guiding Simba SC into the CAF Champions League group stages in 2025,” said the statement.
“He also led Orapa United FC into the CAF Confederation League group stages in 2024.”
He also won the Botswana National Cup with Jwaneng Galaxy in 2025-26 and the Botswana league with Gaborone United in 2024-25.
“Coach Dimitar brings a wealth of experience,” Richards Bay added. “The club is delighted to welcome the coach… and wishes him all the best.”
For a side fighting to stay relevant in the Premiership, the message is clear: they want a coach who has already done it on the CAF stage — and knows how to win titles. The Pantev era starts now.
