CSKA hero Tsanev passes away
Thursday, October 7, 2004
Article summary
Former Bulgaria striker Nikola Tsanev, who scored 119 goals for PFC CSKA Sofia, has died aged 65.
Article body
Medal collection
The legendary striker scored 119 goals in 243 games for the Bulgarian club from 1958-69. During those eleven seasons, he won six league titles and three Bulgarian Cups. Moreover, he was top scorer in Bulgaria in the 1963/64 campaign with 26 goals. Despite these achievements, however, he was capped only eight times by Bulgaria.
Goal at San Siro
Tsanev's finest hour came in the 1966/67 European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-final, when his strike at the San Siro earned a 1-1 first-leg draw against FC Internazionale Milano. The return also finished 1-1, with CSKA missing several glorious chances to clinch victory, before the Italian giants won through in a replay.
Coaching career
Ironically, Tsanev, who was born in 1938, started his career in the youth ranks at CSKA's great rivals, PFC Levski Sofia. After retiring from playing, he moved into coaching and worked at FC Shumen, PFC Belasitza Petrich and with the youngsters at CSKA.
