CAFCL: Eswatini champions query CAF over Simba SC coach

Eswatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs have lodged a complaint to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the eligibility of Simba SC coach Dimitar Pantev following their CAF Champions League (CAFCL) qualifying stage clash.

In a letter addressed to the continental football governing body, Hotspurs claim that the Bulgarian was not qualified to preside over two CAF Champions League season preliminary round matches.

Hotspurs allege that the former Gaborone United tactician does not have the required qualifications of a CAF A licence or its equivalent.

“We have established that Mr Dimitar Pantev (Head Coach) has no required qualification and has played a pivotal role in the two matches in question while we have addressed this with opposition in the first leg,” reads the statement.

“According to CAF rules, a coach who does not possess the necessary qualifications shall not sit on the bench during the matches of CAF inter club competitions.”

Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs accuse Simba SC of playing tricks over coach Pantev in CAFCL duel

The Eswatini champions further accused Simba SC of having played some tricks when indicating the coaching staff on the squad lists for the away and home Champions League matches.

“Our opposition (Simba SC) from Tanzania applied some tricks to dodge the system and the rules by registering illegible technical team members from the one who appeared on the match day. Mr. Selemani Abdallah Matola, Mr Darian Oliveria Goncalves Wilken and 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).”

“Therefore, they submitted a team list with Mr .P Dimitar Nikolaev as a team manager for both matches (1^st leg 19/10/2025) while  he is the head coach of the team (Simba SC). Mr Boyko Kamaenov Simeonov is an assistant coach, however, was registered as team staff because he did not have the necessary credentials. Both the officials were involved in coaching in both first and second leg matches.”

Pantev joined the Dar es Salaam-based team last month after winning the Botswana Premier League with Gaborone United.

Under the stewardship of Pantev, Simba SC confirmed their place in the Champions League group stage last Sunday when they forced a goalless draw against the Eswatini club to wrap up a 3-0 aggregate victory owing to the first round result.

The Tanzania Mainland Premier League runners-up will learn their group stage opponents on November 3 when the draw takes place in Johannesburg.

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