Richards Bay FC are finalising the appointment of Bulgarian coach Dimitar Pantev following Ronnie Gabriel’s resignation this week.
Pantev has agreed terms with the Natal Rich Boys, and the two parties are working to finalise the remaining details before he travels to South Africa to take charge.
In the meantime, Jomo Gumede and Sbusiso Msomi will be in the dugout as the KZN side faces Sekhukhune United in Saturday’s Betway Premiership match at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu.
WHO IS DIMITAR PANTEV?
The 50-year-old is no stranger to African football, having coached in Botswana, Tanzania, Cameroon and Sierra Leone.
According to his CV, Pantev most recently worked at Jwaneng Galaxy, where he won Botswana’s Orange FA Cup during the 2025/26 season and finished as league runner-up.
He previously led Gaborone United to the 2024/25 Botswana Premier League title and the 2025 Super Cup.
Pantev also spent time with Tanzanian giants Simba SC, helping the club compete in the 2025 CAF Champions League group stage.
His continental experience includes leading Orapa United to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage in 2024. Before moving to Botswana, he coached Victoria United, guiding the club to the 2023/24 Cameroonian league title. The Bulgarian, who holds a UEFA A Licence, has also worked with FC Johansen in Sierra Leone and previously coached the national futsal team of Bulgaria.
GUMEDE AND MSOMI FACE IMMEDIATE TEST
Richards Bay head into Saturday’s fixture still searching for their first victory of the campaign. Gabriel stepped down after the club failed to win any of its opening six league matches. The Natal Rich Boys have picked up three points from three draws and sit third from the bottom of the table.
Gumede and Msomi face the insurmountable task of securing the first set of maximum points for the season.
Interestingly, they face a man who understands the club, Papi Zothwane, who spent last season with them. Zothwane is the interim coach at Sekhukhune, having replaced Cedric Kaze, who parted ways with the club earlier this month.
Babina Noko are currently eighth in the league table and will be looking to go into the international break on a positive note.
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