Dar es Salaam. Tanzanian champions Young Africans SC have parted ways with their head coach, Romain Folz, following their 1–0 defeat to Silver Strikers in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round played in the afternoon of October 18, 2025, at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The decision, which the club described as mutual, was confirmed in an official statement released hours after the final whistle, marking a dramatic turn of events in the Frenchman’s short-lived tenure at the helm of one of East Africa’s most decorated football clubs.
In the statement issued a few hours after the match, the management announced the termination of the contract with immediate effect, expressing gratitude to Folz for his service and wishing him well in his future endeavours.
“The management of Young Africans Sports Club wishes to inform the public that it has reached a mutual agreement to terminate the contract of Head Coach Romain Folz,” the statement reads in part.
“The club thanks him for his contribution and wishes him every success in his future career. During this period, the team will be under Assistant Coach Patrick Mabedi while the process of finding a new Head Coach continues.”
The announcement brings to an end a turbulent spell for Folz, who took charge of Yanga on July 14, 2025, replacing Algerian coach Miloud Hamdi.
His appointment was met with cautious optimism from the Yanga faithful, who hoped that his reputation as an analytical and modern coach would bring a new dimension to the club’s continental ambitions.
However, despite a promising start that saw Yanga lift the Community Shield after edging arch-rivals Simba SC 1–0, Folz’s relationship with sections of the supporters remained uneasy.
His tactical preferences, including a cautious approach in attack and an overreliance on midfield possession, were often questioned by fans who expected a more fluid and aggressive style from the reigning NBC Premier League champions.
In his three months in charge, Folz presided over seven competitive matches across all competitions, winning four, drawing one, and losing two.
His early victories against Wiliete SC of Angola in the Champions League preliminary round and Pamba Jiji in the league gave the impression of a stable beginning.
Club insiders said that discussions regarding his future had been ongoing for days, with mounting pressure from both supporters and senior officials following a perceived stagnation in the team’s attacking efficiency.
The defeat in Malawi reportedly accelerated those talks, leading to a swift and conclusive decision by the club’s hierarchy to part ways.
While the statement emphasised mutual consent, sources within the club hinted that the decision was primarily performance-driven.
The loss to Silver Strikers—a side that had barely advanced past the previous round on away goals—was seen as a missed opportunity for Yanga, who were favourites to progress.
The Malawian hosts secured victory through a 76th-minute strike from forward Andrew Joseph, who finished off a well-orchestrated counterattack after combining neatly with midfielder Uchizi Vunga.
Yanga struggled to find rhythm throughout the game despite several substitutions, including the introduction of Prince Dube, Celestine Ecua, and Edmund John, as they sought an equaliser in vain.
For a club with continental ambitions and a demanding fan base, the result was more than a setback—it became the catalyst for immediate change.
The departure of Folz means assistant coach Patrick Mabedi will temporarily take over the technical bench as the team prepares for the decisive return leg on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The Tanzanian champions must overturn a 1–0 deficit to progress to the Champions League group stage for the third consecutive season.
Club officials have not disclosed how long the search for a new head coach will take, but it is understood that several names are being considered.
For now, Yanga’s focus will be on salvaging their continental campaign at home, where they will need to win by at least two clear goals to advance.
The players are expected to regroup under Mabedi’s guidance, with the club hoping to avoid the kind of instability that has previously disrupted their rhythm in crucial continental fixtures.
Folz’s exit continues a recent pattern of managerial turnover at Yanga, who, despite domestic dominance, have struggled to maintain long-term coaching stability.
His predecessors—including Nasreddine Nabi, Miguel Ángel Gamondi, and Miloud Hamdi—each enjoyed brief yet eventful spells that ended amid similar pressures for results beyond Tanzania’s borders.
Yanga’s leadership, while acknowledging the disruption caused by mid-season changes, is understood to be prioritising a coach with proven experience in African club competitions and a clear attacking philosophy capable of matching the club’s ambitions.
The club’s supporters, who flooded social media after the announcement, expressed mixed feelings—some thanking Folz for his professionalism, others insisting the decision was necessary to reinvigorate the squad before the crucial return leg.
As the dust settles, Young Africans SC face not only a tactical test on the pitch but also a managerial crossroads off it.
The next appointment will be decisive, as the club seeks to stabilise its technical direction while maintaining its pursuit of continental glory.
Starting Line-ups (CAF Champions League, First Leg)
Silver Strikers: George Chikooka, McDonald Lameck, Nickson Mwase, Maxwell Paipi, Dan Sandukira, Zebron Kalima, Uchizi Vunga, Chikondi Kamanga, Levison Maganizo, Stanie Davie, Andrew Joseph.
Yanga SC: Djigui Diarra, Israel Mwenda, Chadrack Boka, Dickson Job, Ibrahim Bacca, Aziz Andabwile, Maxi Nzengeli, Mudathir Yahya, Andy Boyeli, Mohamed Doumbia, Pacome Zouzoua.
Elsewhere in Zanzibar, Azam FC took a commanding step towards the CAF Confederation Cup group stage after beating KMKM 2–0 at the New Amaan Complex.
Jephte Kitambala and Pascal Msindo scored in the sixth and 42nd minutes respectively, giving the Tanzanian side a comfortable advantage ahead of the second leg on 24 October 2025 in Dar es Salaam.
Should Azam qualify, it will mark their first-ever appearance in the group stage of a continental competition, ending nearly a decade of unsuccessful attempts.
