Dar es Salaam. Yanga’s management has done everything within its power to ensure the club continues to possess a strong squad capable of defending the titles it lifted last season, including the Tanzanian Premier League crown.
As the most successful club in the history of the Tanzanian Premier League with 31 titles, Yanga enter this campaign carrying the heavy responsibility of once again defending their championship.
That burden now rests firmly on the shoulders of their new head coach, Frenchman Romain Folz, who replaced Miloud Hamdi at the end of last season.
Hamdi, despite joining midway through the campaign, left on a high note by guiding Yanga to yet another league title.
His exit, however, opened the door for Folz to step in.
The French tactician inherits a team with not only a winning culture but also sky-high expectations.
Records show that Yanga have lifted the league trophy four times in a row: 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025.
That remarkable streak came after they had halted Simba’s own run of four consecutive titles.
During this dominant period, different coaches have delivered the silverware: Nasreddine Nabi (2021-2022 and 2022-2023), Miguel Gamondi (2023-2024), and Miloud Hamdi (2024-2025).
Folz, therefore, joins a line of coaches who have delivered nothing short of success and he will be judged by the same high standards.
His first test, the Community Shield clash against archrivals Simba, already ended in triumph, offering a promising glimpse of what he could achieve.
Yet, beyond that opening victory, lies the real challenge sustaining consistency across the grueling league season and continental competitions.
The Weight of Expectation
Folz begins his maiden season in the Tanzanian Premier League with a huge responsibility.
Yanga fans are not only demanding another league title, but also expect the team to maintain the attacking flair that has defined their recent campaigns.
Last season, Yanga were the most prolific team in the league, scoring 83 goals the highest tally among all 16 teams. In the previous campaign (2023-2024), they had also led the scoring charts with 71 goals.
Even back in 2022-2023, though they found the net “only” 61 times, they still did enough to outshine Simba, who finished second with the same number of goals but fewer points.
Such statistics underline the offensive benchmark that Folz must meet, if not surpass.
Reinforcements for the New Season
Yanga wasted no time strengthening their squad ahead of the 2025-2026 campaign, particularly after losing some first-team regulars.
Eleven new signings were brought in:
Frank Assinki (centre-back)
Mohamed Hussein (left-back)
Abubakar Nizar Othuman ‘Ninju’ (centre-back)
Moussa Balla Conte (defensive midfielder)
Abdulnassir Mohamed Abdallah ‘Casemiro’(defensive midfielder)
Mohamed Doumbia (attacking midfielder)
Lassine Kouma (attacking midfielder)
Offen Chikola (winger)
Celestin Ecua (winger)
Edmund John (winger)
Andy Boyeli (striker)
These additions are designed to fill gaps left by the departures of key figures such as Stephane Aziz Ki (sold to Wydad Casablanca in Morocco), as well as Khalid Aucho, Clatous Chama, Kennedy Musonda, and Jonas Mkude, whose contracts expired. Nickson Kibabage, meanwhile, has been sent on loan to Singida Black Stars.
A Balanced Squad
The current Yanga roster for 2025-2026 features 31 players, including 12 foreigners.
Among the internationals are Djigui Diarra, Chadrack Boka, Frank Assinki, Moussa Balla Conte, Duke Abuya, Maxi Nzengeli, Lassine Kouma, Mohamed Doumbia, Andy Boyeli, Prince Dube, Pacome Zouzoua, and Celestin Ecua.
The local contingent includes well-known names such as Khomeiny Abubakar, Aboutwalib Mshery, Israel Mwenda, Kibwana Shomari, Mohamed Hussein, Ibrahim ‘Bacca’, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Dickson Job, Abubakar Nizar ‘Ninju’, Aziz Andabwile, Salum Abubakar ‘Sure Boy’, Denis Nkane, Edmund John, Mudathir Yahya, Abdulnassir Abdallah ‘Casemiro’, Offen Chikola, Shekhan Khamis, Clement Mzize, and Farid Mussa.
This combination of experienced locals and talented foreign recruits provides Folz with both depth and versatility qualities that will be vital in a long season.
New Faces on the Bench
The changes have not only been on the pitch but also within the technical bench.
Folz has surrounded himself with a refreshed backroom staff:
Manu Rodriguez (Assistant Coach)
Majdi Mnasria (Goalkeeping Coach)
Tshephang Mokaila (Fitness Coach)
Thula Bantu (Video Analyst)
Paul Matthews (Technical Director)
Youssef Ammar (Physical Trainer, returning after a short absence)
Walter Harrison (Team Manager, a local figure now in his fourth season with the club)
This blend of international expertise and local continuity is expected to create a balanced technical unit that can support Folz’s ambitious plans.
