Tanzania Premier League giants Simba SC have opened talks with Dimitar Pantev, the 49-year-old Bulgarian coach currently in charge of Gaborone United of Botswana, as they intensify efforts to find a replacement for former coach Fadlu Davids, who has left for Raja Casablanca of Morocco.
Club chairman Crescentius Magori confirmed the developments in Dar es Salaam, revealing that the Reds of Msimbazi are engaged with more than four potential candidates, with Pantev high on the shortlist.
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“He is a good coach and his team Gaborone United, despite being eliminated in the first leg of the CAF Champions League, showed us a very good game,” Magori stated. “We are in talks with him, but he is not the only one. There are other names on the table as well.”
Magori disclosed that Simba are carefully weighing their options to ensure the next appointment aligns with the club’s ambitions, particularly in continental competitions where the Tanzanian powerhouse has set its sights on reclaiming dominance.
In addition to Pantev, the club has lined up discussions with Nasreddine Nabi, the Tunisian tactician who is currently unattached after parting ways with South Africa’s Kaizer Chiefs. Miguel Gamondi, coach of Singida Black Stars, is another candidate, alongside Hamad Ally of JKT Tanzania.
The search for a new coach comes at a crucial time for Simba SC, who are under pressure from both domestic rivals and continental expectations. The Msimbazi Reds remain determined to re-establish themselves as a force in African football, having suffered disappointing early exits in recent CAF competitions.
Pantev’s experience in Southern African football and his reputation for tactical discipline are said to be among the qualities attracting Simba’s interest. Meanwhile, Nabi is seen by many supporters as a familiar figure, having previously guided Yanga SC to domestic and continental success.
For Magori and the Simba board, the task is clear: to secure a coach with the pedigree and philosophy to restore confidence and ensure Simba return to the top tier of African football.
