Richards Bay appointing Africa’s most wanted nomadic tactician

Local football reports indicate that Richards Bay have reached an agreement with Pantev. The remaining details are reportedly being finalised before the coach travels to South Africa to take charge of the Natal Rich Boys.

The Natal Rich Boyz are searching for a new coach following the resignation of Ronnie Gabriel. His departure came after a difficult run of results, which included a heavy 5-1 defeat.

Pantev could now be handed the responsibility of turning around Richards Bay’s fortunes in the Betway Premiership.

PANTEV BRINGS AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

The reported move would see the club bring in a coach with considerable experience outside his native Bulgaria. Pantev has worked in Europe and across several African leagues during his managerial career.

The 50-year-old coach has also built a reputation for winning league titles in Africa.

Pantev first made his name in Bulgaria, where he spent a significant part of his early coaching career in futsal. He guided Grand Pro Varna to five consecutive Bulgarian futsal league titles between 2011 and 2016.

He also had a spell with the Bulgaria national futsal team before eventually moving into 11-a-side football.

His coaching career later took him to Palestine before he moved to Africa. Pantev joined Victoria United in Cameroon and guided the club to the 2023/24 Elite One title, the first top-flight championship in the club’s history.

The Bulgarian then moved to Botswana, where he coached Orapa United before taking charge of Gaborone United. His time at Gaborone United proved particularly successful. Pantev guided the club to the 2024/25 Botswana Premier League title.

That success earned him a move to Tanzanian giants Simba SC in October 2025. However, his time at the club was brief before the two parties parted ways.

Pantev has since continued his coaching career in Africa. His reported move to Richards Bay would now bring him to the South African top flight for the first time.

The club will hope his experience of working in different African leagues can help stabilise the team and improve their results.

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