Dar es Salaam. As Young Africans SC (Yanga) continue their search for a new head coach following the departure of Miloud Hamdi, who led the club to a fourth successive Premier League title, a fresh chapter filled with towering expectations is on the horizon.
Hamdi, a French Algerian who holds a UEFA A coaching license, left Yanga shortly after securing the 2024/2025 league crown to join Egyptian side Ismaily SC.
The 43-year-old had signed with Singida Black Stars in late December 2024 but never managed the team, eventually joining Yanga officially in February 2025 after German coach Sead Ramovic mutually parted ways with the club.
Now, Yanga’s top brass are in the final stages of vetting potential replacements, but whoever lands the role will be stepping into a high-pressure environment with immediate expectations.
Trophy Retention Pressure
One of the immediate challenges for the incoming coach will be to replicate or surpass Hamdi’s clean sweep of domestic trophies.
Yanga were crowned champions of the Premier League, FA Cup, Community Shield, and the 2025 Union Cup, making the 2024/25 season one of the most successful in the club’s modern history.
The club finished the league season with 82 points from 30 matches 27 wins, one draw, and only two defeats—securing their 31st league title since 1965 and their fourth consecutive crown.
The new coach will be under pressure to retain all domestic titles and uphold the club’s dominance in Tanzanian football.
Maintaining Derby Supremacy
Yanga fans are equally passionate about their supremacy in the ‘Kariakoo Derby’ against bitter rivals Simba SC.
The team has now won four straight league matches against Simba, with the most recent on June 25, 2025 being the decider for their latest league title.
This means the new coach will not only be evaluated on silverware but also on performance in the most emotionally charged fixture in Tanzanian football.
A poor result against Simba could quickly diminish early goodwill.
Stiff Managerial Competition
The Tanzanian league is becoming increasingly competitive, and the new Yanga boss will face off against some of the most experienced coaches in African football.
These include Fadlu Davids of Simba SC, Miguel Gamondi now at Singida Black Stars, and Florent Ibenge who was recently appointed head coach of Azam FC.
Fadlu led Simba to second place in the league with 78 points and guided them to the final of the CAF Confederation Cup the club’s first continental final in 32 years before falling short to Morocco’s RS Berkane.
Gamondi, who left Yanga in November 2024, returns to the Tanzanian top flight with Singida Black Stars after previously winning three trophies including the league title and FA Cup—with Yanga during the 2023/2024 season.
Meanwhile, Ibenge, a seasoned Congolese tactician, joined Azam FC on July 5, 2025, replacing Moroccan Rachid Taoussi.
Ibenge departed Sudanese giants Al Hilal after guiding them to several titles, including the Sudan Premier League, the Sudan Super League, and even a guest appearance championship in Mauritania’s top division amid Sudan’s ongoing political unrest.
Across 91 matches with Al Hilal, Ibenge won 55, drew 20, and lost 16—impressive stats that set a high standard for local competition next season.
CAF Champions League Woes
While Yanga excelled on the domestic front, their 2024/2025 CAF Champions League campaign was disappointing.
They exited at the group stage, finishing third in Group A with eight points—behind Al Hilal (10 points) and MC Alger (9 points), and above TP Mazembe (5 points).
The team’s inability to progress to the knockout stages will be another key area of improvement the new coach must address. The goal is clear: transform Yanga into a true continental force, not just a domestic powerhouse.
Squad Uncertainty
Adding to the pressure, the new coach may also have to rebuild part of the squad.
Key players are being linked with moves away, including local top scorer Clement Mzize, who netted 14 league goals, and midfield talisman Stephane Aziz Ki.
Aziz Ki, who joined Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca on loan, is rumored to be returning if a permanent deal isn’t reached by the July 10 deadline. The Ivorian playmaker was the league’s top scorer in 2023/2024 with 21 goals and has been the creative heartbeat of the team.
Even if he returns, his future remains uncertain, and the club might have to scout for a worthy replacement. Yanga do have other midfield stars like Clatous Chama and Pacome Zouzoua, but both are out of contract and it’s unclear if they will stay.
Final Thoughts
In sum, the new coach stepping into the Yanga dugout will be facing multiple layers of scrutiny—from winning silverware, defending local dominance, asserting superiority in derby matches, and improving CAF performances to rebuilding the squad.
It’s a dream job in terms of prestige and resources, but also a pressure cooker where only the best will thrive. Whoever gets the nod will need not only tactical acumen but also resilience, charisma, and a deep understanding of African football’s emotional and competitive terrain.
