Richards Bay name Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev as new head coach

Richards Bay FC have appointed Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev as their new head coach, days after Ronnie Gabriel resigned following a difficult start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.

The Bulgarian has signed a one-season contract with an option to renew, the club confirmed on Monday. He succeeds Gabriel, who left his position with immediate effect on Thursday after Richards Bay went six matches without a victory.

Pantev’s appointment comes after former TS Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic had been widely considered the leading candidate for the role. Negotiations with Beganovic were understood to have progressed significantly before the club changed direction and confirmed Pantev as Gabriel’s replacement.

The 50-year-old holds a UEFA A Licence and arrives with coaching experience across Africa. His previous clubs include Simba SC in Tanzania, Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana and Gaborone United.

Richards Bay pointed to Pantev’s record in both domestic and continental competitions when announcing the appointment. He helped Simba SC reach the CAF Champions League group stages in 2025 and guided Orapa United into the CAF Confederation Cup group stages in 2024.

During his time in Botswana, Pantev led Jwaneng Galaxy to the 2025/26 National Cup. He also won the Botswana Premier League with Gaborone United in the 2024/25 season.

Richards Bay’s most recent match was overseen by Siboniso “Jomo” Gumede and Sibusiso Msomi. The Natal Rich Boyz were beaten 3-2 by Sekhukhune United on Saturday.

The result left the KwaZulu-Natal side 14th in the league standings, with three points from their opening seven matches. They remain without a win in the competition.

Pantev’s immediate challenge will be to lift Richards Bay away from the lower end of the table and establish himself in Mzansi’s top flight.