Dar es Salaam. Good news for Simba SC fans. The long-awaited “Official Announcement” banner is finally set to be unveiled, confirming the appointment of the club’s new head coach, Dimitar Pantev, who succeeds Fadlu Davids following his move to Raja Casablanca.
Pantev is expected to arrive in Dar es Salaam this weekend and will officially begin work on Monday, when the squad returns to camp after a short break following their league match against Namungo.
“We have secured a young coach whom we believe aligns with the club’s vision. We held several meetings with him, both online and in person, and agreed on key objectives — including ensuring success in both domestic and continental competitions,” a Simba insider revealed.
Club chairman Crescentius Magori also spoke about Pantev during a recent interview in Nigeria.
“He is a good coach. Despite Gaborone United being eliminated in the first round of the CAF Champions League, they displayed impressive football under him,” Magori said.
Pantev began his coaching journey with youth teams in Varna, Bulgaria’s third-largest city, before serving as assistant coach at Dobrudzha Dobrich in the 2008/09 season.
He later managed Vladislav Varna and Shabla in Bulgaria’s Third Division.
During six years in futsal, he guided his teams to five consecutive Bulgarian Premier Futsal League titles.
On 31 August 2015, he was appointed head coach of Spartak Varna, leading the club back to the Third Division the following year.
His career later took an international turn.
In the 2018/19 season, he served as assistant coach at Palestinian side Al Ahli Hebron before taking charge of Alshoban Almuslimin Hebron in 2019/20.
In 2020, he became Technical Director and Head Coach at the Indian Youth Academy H16.
Two years later, he moved to Cameroon to manage Victoria United, leading the club to victory in the South West Regional League.
In 2023/24, he returned to Victoria United and guided them to their first-ever Elite One title.
Earlier this year, he took charge of Gaborone United in Botswana and won the Premier League in his debut season.
Gaborone United’s Sporting Director, Nicholas Zakhem, expressed disappointment at Pantev’s sudden departure.
“It was unexpected. We had long-term plans with him, but that’s football. He did an incredible job here, guiding us to the league title. We can only wish him the very best,” Zakhem said.
Speaking after finalising his departure, Pantev confirmed the split was amicable.
“In our profession, it is normal, today you are here, tomorrow you could be elsewhere. Simba is one of the biggest clubs in Africa, and any coach would be drawn to such an opportunity,” he said.
It is reported that Pantev sought advice on East African football from former Yanga coach Luc Eymael, with whom he shares a close relationship.
Pantev is expected to land in Tanzania today (Saturday) to complete formalities with Simba.
Interestingly, in his final match in charge of Simba, Fadlu Davids praised Pantev despite defeating his Gaborone United side 1-0.
Just as Yanga once turned to Sead Ramović following Miguel Gamondi’s exit, Simba have now chosen the Bulgarian tactician to usher in a new chapter.
Fadlu has also wished Pantev success, expressing confidence that with the current squad, he can build on the foundation laid last season, when Simba reached the CAF Confederation Cup final.
