Kenyan goalkeeper Ian Otieno is set to work under a new coach at Richards Bay following the departure of Ronnie Gabriel, with the urgency for the South African club to appoint his successor growing after another defeat on Saturday.Richards Bay lost 3-2 at home to Sekhukhune United, extending their winless start to the 2026/27 Premiership season.##NAJAVA_MECA_9968580##The Natal Rich Boyz have now collected just three points from their opening seven league matches, with three draws and four defeats leaving them still searching for their first victory of the campaign.Gabriel parted ways with the club earlier this week after the difficult start, bringing an end to his spell in charge and leaving Richards Bay without a permanent head coach.The club is closing in on the appointment of Bulgarian coach Dimitar Pantev, who has agreed terms with Richards Bay, with the remaining details of his arrival being finalised.Motsepe reveals when CAF will step in to mediate FKF leadership wranglesPantev is expected to take charge during the upcoming FIFA international break, potentially giving Otieno a new coach as Richards Bay look to arrest their poor run of results.The 50-year-old has extensive experience in African football, having coached in Botswana, Tanzania, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone.He most recently managed Jwaneng Galaxy, guiding the club to the 2025/26 Orange FA Cup title and a second-place finish in the Botswana Premier League.Kenya's U20 Africa Cup of Nations hopes extinguished after winless qualifier campaignPantev previously led Gaborone United to the 2024/25 Botswana Premier League title and the 2025 Super Cup, while he also coached Tanzanian giants Simba SC.His continental experience includes guiding Orapa United to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage in 2024. He also led Cameroon’s Victoria United to the 2023/24 league title.Until his appointment is finalized, Jomo Gumede and Sbusiso Msomi remain in temporary charge of Richards Bay.Patrick Matasi recalls tough six months waiting to make AFC Leopards debut
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