Gaborone United need depth for CAF Champions League- Pantev

Botswana’s Gaborone United coach Nicholaev Dimitri Pantev has stressed the importance of his squad’s depth in quality for the FNB Premiership champions to compete strongly on the domestic and continental fronts.

The Bulgarian said this when giving an update on new signings, players’ conditioning, and progress of pre-season training ahead of the FNB Premiership title defence and CAF Champions League participation.

“I need to see a team who dominate in duels with confidence, a team who will be ready to fight in every one of these competitions,” the coach told United’s media.

“This is the reason we selected two or three players with the same quality in some positions to be able to rotate the squad because this season won’t be easy due to too many competitions. We need to have enough competitive players here to be good every two or three days because we will have enough matches even in midweek.”

The former Orapa United mentor said he was encouraged by his team’s fitness levels adding that there are no injuries so far.

Going forward, Pantev called for more intensity in speed for his players adding that United will play friendlies against Lesotho and South Africa teams.

“I think we have enough time before our first official match. We have played friendlies. We will play friendlies in South Africa next week. We are waiting for teams in the Lesotho Premier League to meet us here in the second week of August. The most important [thing] is that there are no injuries. All the guys are fit and are motivated to be better than the previous season,” he explained.

Pantev hinted at more two signings before he completes his transfer business ready for the Premiership defence and compete on the continent.

“We need time to finish our selection first and for me the most important [thing] is that most of the players are here. We are waiting for two more players. Our main group will be here and after that we can put our focus to work more for details and to observe opponents. We are waiting for a draw in the CAF Champions League to make our plan,” he said.

The Botswana champions have signed players such as Nikolay Pantev from Bulgaria and goalkeeper Tshepo Mooketsi from fellow FNB Premiership side TAFIC.

United will begin their defence of the 2025/26 FNB Premiership against rookies, Caledar Stars, at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Saturday 16 August 2025.