Young Africans replace Romain Folz with ex-Angola coach Pedro Gonçalves

Tanzania Mainland Premier League champions Young Africans have hired the services of Portuguese coach Pedro Gonçalves following their success to qualify for the CAF Champions League group stages on Saturday.

The 49-year-old has taken over at the reigning champions just a month after he was fired to lead the Angola national team. The Portuguese mentor parted ways with the Palancas Negras after they failed to reach the African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinals as expected.

Gonçalves’ was recently fired from Angola role

Confirming his arrivals, Yanga wrote on their social media pages: “Welcome home the coach of beautiful football.”

He will come in to replace German Romain Folz, who was fired immediately Yanga lost their second preliminary round first leg fixture of Champions League 1-0 against Silver Strikers of Malawi.

Despite the defeat, the Citizens ensured qualification following their 2-0 return leg win at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday. During his stint with Angola, Gonçalves’ achievements included winning the 2025 COSAFA Cup in South Africa recently.

In a recent interview, Young Africans Media Officer Ally Kamwe confirmed to Pan-Africa Football the club was closing in on a new coach.

He said: “Many of you have been asking me about the new coach, let me just tell you that the Yanga leadership is in a good process of finding a new coach and within the next three days this process will be completed.

“For that reason, our game on Saturday against Silver Strikers will be led by caretaker coach Patrick (Mabedi), and we have absolutely no doubt about him as we believe in his ability and his CV.”

The coach also secured the Palancas Negras a place at the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco finals.

He has been tasked to help Yanga challenge for trophies on all fronts, starting with defending their Premier League title for the fifth season in a row.

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