Nsingizini Hotspurs FC, coached by former Orlando Pirates development coach Mandla Qhogi, has lodged a complaint with CAF against Simba SC following their CAF Champions League exit over the weekend.
Nsingizini had a mammoth task this past Sunday as they had to to come back from a 3-0 deficit against the Tanzanian giants. Nonetheless, it was not destined to happen, as the return leg match concluded in a 0-0 tie in Tanzania. This saw Simba advance to the Champions League group stage with a 3-0 aggregate score.
However, the Eswatini champions have since filed a complaint with CAF, alleging that Simba’s newly appointed coach, Dimitar Pantev, does not have the required qualifications to sit on the bench during the CAF interclub competition.
According to CAF regulations, a coach who does not have a CAF coaching license will not be allowed to sit on the bench during the matches of CAF Interclub Competitions.
The Eswatini side further claimed that Simba registered Pantev as the team manager. This was to have Pantev sit on the bench, knowing very well that he is the club’s head coach.
Pantev took over the coaching reins at Simba earlier this month. He replaced South African coach Fadlu Davids, who left the club to join Raja Club Athletic in Morocco.
The Bulgarian tactician was in charge of Simba in the two matches they played against Nsingizini.
THE COMPLAINT LETTER BY NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS FC OVER SIMBA SC
FARPost is in the position of the complaint letter submitted by the Nsingizini to CAF.
“1.We have established that Mr. Pantev Dimitar Nikolaev [head coach] has no required qualification. He has played a pivotal role in the two matches in question. We have addressed this with opposition in the first leg. According to CAF rules a coach who does not possess the necessary qualifications shall not sit on the bench. This applies in all the matches of CAF interclub competitions.
“2. Our opposition [SIMBA SC] from Tanzania applied some tricks to dodge the system and the rules by registering an illegible technical team members. So, from the one who appeared in the matchday [Mr. Seleman Abdallan Matola, Mr. Darian Oliveria Goncalves Wilken, Wayne Sandilands]. Mr. Matola was on the grandstand because he did not have the necessary documents to sit on the bench. Mr. Wilken is currently the first Assistant coach while Mr. Sandilands is the current goalkeeper coach at Raja Athletic Club [Formerly known as Raja Casablanca] who are no longer with the team.
DIMITAR PANTEV SUBMITTED AS SIMBA TEAM MANAGER IN BOTH LEGS
“Therefore, they submitted a team list with Mr. P Dimitar Nikolaev as a team manager. This was on both matches [1st leg 19/10/2025] while he is the head coach of the team [SIMBA SC]. Mr. Boyko Kamaenov Simeonov is an assistant coach. However he was registered as team staff because he did not have the necessary credentials. Both officials were involved in coaching in both first and second leg matches.
“3. On the second leg which was played on the 26th of October 2025 at Benjamin Mkapa National stadium, again Mr. Seleman Abdallah Matola appeared on the team list as head coach. He was sitting on the bench during the match and not coaching. Mr. Pantev Dimitar was submitted to the team list as team manager. Pantev was the one actively involved in coaching and issuing instructions to the team. As well as in the zone 1 as a coach, and during the pre- and post-match interviews.
“As Nsingizini Hotspurs Football club is alive of the fact that CAF has officially enforced new coaching requirements for all clubs competing in CAF inter clubs’ competitions. Under the CAF rules a head or assistant coach participating in CAF-sanctioned competitions must hold either a CAF-A or UEFA PRO License. Any coach who fails to comply will be denied access to zone 1 and zone 2 of the stadium. This is during the CAF matches as he is deemed to be ineligible to participate in the match.
“As a club we therefore call upon your office to take drastic actions against Simba SC for the misconduct. Also apply the CAF rules against any team that is found to have used an ineligible player or official in a match sanctioned by CAF. Please find attached the aforesaid team list of both matches together with the link for ease of reference for our complaint.”
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