Dar es Salaam. Former Mamelodi Sundowns assistant coach, Romain Folz, has emerged as the leading candidate to take charge at Young Africans SC (Yanga), with the club believed to be finalising the details of his appointment.
According to Siya crew sources, the French-Moroccan tactician has made the final shortlist of candidates being considered by the reigning Tanzanian Premier League champions, and negotiations are reportedly at an advanced stage.
“The deal for Coach Romain Folz joining Yanga is close,” an insider confirmed. “There are discussions around a two-year contract with an option for a third. The club had several names in mind, but Folz is now the clear favourite.”
With an eye on a stronger showing in next season’s CAF Champions League, Yanga are said to be seeking a dynamic, tactically adept manager capable of guiding the team to the continental elite.
Folz is not the only name to have been linked with the role. Reports suggest the club also considered Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Rulani Mokwena and ASEC Mimosas’ Julien Chevalier before narrowing their focus on the 33-year-old.
“The club believes Folz has the pedigree and ambition to elevate Yanga to new heights in Africa,” the source added. “They’re confident that with the current squad and his technical direction, they can go deeper into the Champions League.”
Folz’s coaching journey has seen him build a solid reputation across African leagues. He began his continental tenure with Botswana’s Township Rollers before moving to South Africa.
In 2022, he joined Marumo Gallants in the DStv Premiership, becoming the youngest head coach in the league at the time, where his high-tempo, modern style of play quickly gained attention.
He later joined AmaZulu FC, where he was eventually elevated to technical director, playing a key role in the club’s restructuring before departing in 2023.
His most recent role was at Mamelodi Sundowns, where he worked as assistant coach alongside Manqoba Mngqithi at the start of the 2024/25 season. However, both were relieved of their duties early into the campaign.
Despite his short stint at Sundowns, Folz’s stock remains high, with Yanga apparently seeing in him the potential to lead their ambitious project.
After back-to-back league titles and impressive performances in the CAF Confederation Cup, expectations at Yanga have soared. The club’s leadership is now keen to appoint a coach capable of delivering success on the continental stage.
Should the deal be finalised, Folz will inherit a squad rich in talent, including Pacôme Zouzoua and Clement Mzize—both key contributors to Yanga’s domestic dominance last season.
The club’s ardent fans, known for their unwavering support, are eagerly awaiting an official announcement, hoping the new coach can finally steer Yanga to a CAF Champions League semi-final or beyond.
With pre-season preparations looming, the Yanga board is expected to move swiftly to complete the appointment and have Folz in Dar es Salaam before the new campaign kicks off.
If confirmed, Romain Folz would assume leadership of one of East Africa’s most storied clubs—tasked with delivering silverware and scripting a new chapter in continental football.
