Dar es Salaam. Major calculations are currently underway at Yanga SC, as the club’s top executives finalise the appointment of a new head coach.
Should the board agree to part ways with Romain Folz, there appears to be a solid candidate ready to take over immediately.
As of Wednesday October 8, Yanga’s leadership had reached an agreement with Romuald Rakotondrabe, affectionately known as ‘Roro’, who comes with a fresh set of credentials and a proven track record.
Roro is no stranger to East African football, having led Madagascar to the final of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where they narrowly lost 3-2 to Morocco.
The club has been impressed with his expertise, and Roro, in turn, has expressed enthusiasm for Yanga’s project, with only formalities remaining before he arrives in Tanzania.
Initially, Yanga considered Sead Ramovic, currently with CR Belouizdad, as a potential replacement after his departure from the region.
However, the deal fell through due to ongoing negotiations with his current employers and personal considerations regarding family relocation, which had previously stalled his move to Tanzania.
Sources close to Yanga reveal that Roro has already begun analysing the team’s match files, identifying key areas where the squad needs improvement.
At 60, Roro came onto the radar of Simba SC when they were searching for a successor to Fadlu Davids, but negotiations broke down over salary expectations and the composition of his coaching bench.
Reports of Roro’s imminent arrival were reinforced by a senior official at the Madagascar Football Federation, who confirmed: “Roro has informed us that he is leaving and that he is moving to Tanzania. We wanted to retain him, but he has insisted on this opportunity. It’s a good offer, and it is a major club.”
The official added: “He is a very modern coach, plays attractive football, and during his time here he has significantly improved the standards of our players.”
Yanga now finds itself compelled to part ways with Folz, largely due to external pressure from fans dissatisfied with the Frenchman’s style of play, despite the team remaining unbeaten in five competitive matches, winning four and drawing one.
The team’s recent performances include a 1-0 victory over Simba SC in the Community Shield, a 5-0 aggregate win over Wiliete SC of Angola in the CAF Champions League preliminary round, a 3-0 victory against Pamba Jiji, and a 0-0 draw with Mbeya City in the Tanzanian Premier League.
Roro, who has never coached a club team before, has been with Madagascar since his first appointment on May 30, 2023.
He holds a UEFA PRO Licence, which qualifies him to coach any team in Africa across multiple competitions.
His arrival at Yanga is expected to bring a new level of tactical sophistication and modern football philosophy to the Tanzanian giants.
