Pantev vows to win Simba SC trophies after taking over vacant role

New Simba SC coach Simba SC has discussed his vision and mission for the Tanzanian Premier League giants after arriving to take charge from Botswana.

The 49-year-old tactician joined the Msimbazi Reds on a two-year contract after leaving Botswana Premier League champions Gaborone United. He came in to replace South African coach Fadlu Davids, who left Simba to take charge at Moroccan club Raja Casablanca.

‘I know it won’t be an easy task’

Speaking for the first time, Pantev admitted he was ready for the challenge of handling a team he described as “a big team”.

“This is a big challenge for me, and Simba is a big team, and we must do well in all competitions, I know it won’t be easy, but it is a good challenge to walk the journey together and make sure Simba is the best club in Tanzania and Africa,” Pantev told Pan-Africa Football.

“We don’t have time now, we only have 10 days before we play our next CAF Champions League game, so I want to take this chance to try and help the team, and I am hoping it will not take me a lot of time to know, and understand my players, but I am sure everything will be perfect in a short term period.”

‘It was not easy to leave Gaborone United’

On leaving Gaborone United to take over the vacant role at Simba, he said: “It was not an easy decisions because I already had a contract with them (Gaborone), so I allowed the teams to talk and agree on the decision, so that I could come here.

“I have an idea of the Tanzania league, because you know my former team played against Simba, so I don’t have problems about it. I have also been a keen follower of Simba, but I know the Tanzania league has four to five teams with the ability to win the league, so the competition in the league is very high, if you compare with other leagues.

“We have to be alert always, and ready to quickly adapt to our style of play, if we are to win trophies, and that is the only way to go. We must be motivated and have the ambition to do our best, fight for every trophy available, and that is the way to go.”

His first task will be the Champions League second preliminary round clash against Nsingizini Hotspurs of Eswatini. Simba will play away in the first leg on October 17 before hosting them in Tanzania for the return leg on October 24.

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