Richards Bay have turned to Bulgarian coach Dimitar Pantev in a bid to revive their season after a difficult start to the Betway Premiership campaign.
The 50-year-old has been appointed following the resignation of Ronnie Gabriel last week and arrives with coaching experience in both Tanzania and Botswana.
Pantev has previously worked with Simba SC, Jwaneng Galaxy and Gaborone United, and will now be tasked with steering Richards Bay away from the lower reaches of the table.
“Richards Bay Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev as Head Coach. He has signed for one season with an option to renew,” Richards Bay said in a statement on Monday.
“Coach Dimitar brings a wealth of experience, having coached clubs such as Simba SC in Tanzania, Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana and Gaborone United in Botswana.
“The 50-year-old holds a UEFA A Licence and played a key role in guiding Simba SC into the CAF Champions League group stages in 2025, Orapa United FC into the CAF Confederation Cup group stages in 2024, winning the National Cup in 2025/26 with Jwaneng Galaxy FC and winning the Botswana league with Gaborone United in 2024/25.
“The club is delighted to welcome the coach to Richards Bay Football Club and wishes him all the best.”
The Natal Rich Boyz are still searching for their first league victory of the season after seven matches, having collected three draws and suffered four defeats.
That has left them 14th in the 16-team standings and in need of an upturn in form when domestic action resumes.
Pantev will have the benefit of an extended international break to begin working with his new squad before Richards Bay return to action on October 13 with a home fixture against leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.