Gaborone United coach Pantev acknowledges quality of CAFCL opponents Simba

Gaborone United coach Dimitar Pantev has shared his thoughts on what he thinks of upcoming CAF Champions League opponents Simba SC.

Botswana’s champions host the Tanzanian giants on the weekend of 19-21 September 2025 with the return leg a week later in the East African country. Analysing their opponents, Pantev said the FNB Premiership champions need to do their homework if they are to salvage something from the two legs.

The well-travelled Bulgarian mentor said Simba have a strong record in the CAF Champions League owing to their regular presence in the continental competition.

“We are going to play against one of the teams with a higher project in this competition and with a lot of experience,” Pantev told his club’s media.

“They signed high quality players, took some players from teams like [Mamelodi] Sundowns and Algerian teams, so we don’t need to commend them.”

The former Orapa United coach has enough experience playing in the Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, but is not taking anything for granted against Simba.

“Of course, their quality is too high, but we will play them here. We can have our chances. This is football. We just need to first, prepare with confidence and win our match at home,” Pantev explained.

“If tactically we are ready and also psychologically, we have our chances. However, in African competitions, it is very important to keep a clean sheet at home in the first game.”

The coach has since stressed that their most immediate attention is on the league fixtures starting with top flight rookies Calendar Stars at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Saturday.