Dar es Salaam. This Friday promises to be a special day for Young Africans SC supporters as their team unveils a fresh wave of talent on Rwandan soil.
The reigning Tanzanian champions are set to take on Rayon Sports of Kigali in an international friendly at the iconic Amahoro Stadium a match that will mark the first public outing for several of their high profile new signings.
At the centre of attention will be Guinean defensive midfielder Balla Moussa Conte, widely tipped to fill the boots of fan favourite Khalid Aucho. Alongside him, creative midfielders Lassine Kouma and Mohamed Doumbia, plus Congolese centre-forward Andy Boyeli, will make their long-awaited debuts in Yanga colours.
International Test after Strong Domestic Start
Yanga began their pre-season preparations with an in-house camp and a resounding 4-0 win over their youth side, Yanga B.
Now, they have crossed borders to face a respected continental opponent in what is being billed as a key test ahead of their next training camp in Egypt.
Over the past two weeks, Conte, Kouma, and Doumbia have shown flashes of brilliance in training sessions, fuelling optimism among supporters.
With the 2025/26 season expected to be fiercely competitive, new head coach Romain Folz is tasked with defending all domestic titles and steering the club into the CAF Champions League group stages.
More New Faces Ready to Shine
In addition to the marquee signings, several home-grown and domestic talents will also pull on the yellow and green for the first time.
These include Offen Chikola from Tabora United, Abdulnassir Mohammed Abdallah “Casemiro” from Mlandege, and versatile defender Abubakar Nizar Othman ‘Ninju’ from JKU in Zanzibar.
Another notable arrival is Edmund John from Singida BS, who is also expected to make his first appearance today.
Folz’s Tactical Focus
Speaking ahead of the match, Folz described the game as both a competitive challenge and a perfect opportunity to delight fans.
“I’m pleased with the commitment and energy from my players. I’ve been experimenting with different attacking combinations to ensure we have multiple ways of scoring goals. This match is competitive, and it will help us see exactly where we are as a team,” the French coach explained.
Folz also emphasised the emotional connection with the supporters:
“The fans are the heartbeat of this club. We want to make them happy not just today against Rayon Sports, but throughout the entire season. We’ll give everything to secure positive results.”
An Important Fitness and Chemistry Test
For Folz, today’s fixture is also a chance to evaluate the physical condition and tactical readiness of his squad after two intensive weeks of pre-season training.
“It’s an important preparation game. Every player will get minutes on the pitch,” he confirmed.
For Yanga fans, the focus will not only be on the scoreboard but on the chemistry between the newcomers and the club’s seasoned campaigners a vital ingredient as they chase glory in the coming season.
Notable Absentees
Despite the excitement, Yanga will be without some key figures. New signing Mohamed Hussein ‘Tshabalala’ is away on national team duty, while experienced stars such as Dickson Job, Ibrahim Hamad ‘Bacca’, Mudathir Yahya, and Shekhani Ibrahim Khamis are also unavailable for selection.
