Nsingizini runs to CAF

By Sibusiso Masilela

Could Nsingizini Hotspurs make a dramatic return to the CAF Champions League through a boardroom decision?

MTN Premier League champions Nsingizini Hotspurs have since lodged a complaint to CAF over the eligibility of the Simba SC technical bench.

The Shiselweni based side accusing the Tanzanian side of using an ineligible technical bench during the second preliminary round tie between the two clubs.

The Mandla Qhogi-led side are claiming that Bulgarian coach Pantev Dimitar Nikolaev played a provital role in the team during the two legs without having a proper qualification.

“We have established that Mr. Pantev Dimitar Nikolaev (Head coach) has no required qualification and has played a pivotal role in the two matches in question, while we have addressed this with the opposition in the first leg. According to CAF rules, a coach who does not possess the necessary qualifications shall not sit on the bench during the matches of CAF interclub competitions,” the club said.

The local side further told CAF that Simba Nikoleav was registered as a manager despite being the head coach.

“Therefore, they submitted a team list with Mr. P Dimitar Nikolaev as a team manager on both matches (1st leg 19/10/2025) while he is the head coach of the team (SIMBA SC).

Mr. Boyko Kamaenov Simeonov is an assistant coach; however, he was registered as team staff because he did not have the necessary credentials. Both officials were involved in coaching in both the first and second leg matches.

The back-to-back Momo cup winners also stated that the Tanzanian side further registered three ineligible technical bench members, including South African trainer Wayne Sandilands, who is part of Wydad Casablanca.”

“Our opposition (SIMBA SC) from Tanzania applied some tricks to dodge the system and the rules by registering an illegible technical team members from the one who appeared in the matchday (Mr. Seleman Abdallan Matola, Mr. Darian Oliveria Goncalves Wilken, 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),” the club said.

The team’s Chief Executive Officer, Banele Ngobe, confirmed the letter and stated that they are waiting for a response from the continent’s body.