Romain Folz Fired by Young Africans After Shock CAF Champions League Defeat to Silver Strikers
In a quick turn of events in African football, Romain Folz has been let go as head coach of Tanzanian giants Young Africans SC, known as Yanga. The sacking came just hours after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Malawian side Silver Strikers in the first leg of the CAF Champions League second preliminary round on 18 October 2025. Folz, who has coached in South Africa before, is now without a job, marking his third dismissal in three years.
The French tactician, who took over at Yanga in July 2025, could not turn things around fast enough. Fans and club bosses were unhappy with recent results, especially in big games. This latest defeat was the final straw, leading to what the club called a “mutual termination” of his contract. But many see it as a clear firing due to poor form.
The Match That Sealed Folz’s Fate
The game against Silver Strikers, played in Malawi, was meant to be a step towards the group stages of Africa’s top club competition. But Yanga fell short, losing 1-0 in a shock result. Silver Strikers, not a big name in continental football, took advantage of Yanga’s mistakes to grab the win.
This loss added to a string of bad performances under Folz. In the Tanzanian Premier League, Yanga had drawn too many games and struggled to find their rhythm. Pressure from fans grew loud, with calls for change echoing on social media and in stadiums. The defeat in the CAF Champions League was seen as unacceptable for a club like Yanga, who aim to compete at the highest level every season.
Yanga now face a tough second leg at home, needing to overturn the deficit to advance. Without Folz, the team hopes for a fresh start to save their campaign.
Folz’s Short and Rocky Time at Yanga
Folz joined Yanga in July 2025 on a two-year deal, full of promise after his stints in South Africa. He started well, winning the Tanzanian Community Shield against rivals Simba SC. But things went downhill fast. In 10 league matches, Yanga won only five, drew four, and lost one, sitting third in the standings – not good enough for a team used to dominating.
His overall record at Yanga: 12 games, seven wins, four draws, and one loss. While the numbers look okay on paper, the quality of play and results in key fixtures did not impress. Fans pointed to a lack of attacking flair and defensive slip-ups as big problems.
Before Yanga, Folz coached in the DStv Premiership with AmaZulu FC and Marumo Gallants. He also had a brief spell at Mamelodi Sundowns as an assistant. But his time in SA was mixed, with sackings at both AmaZulu and Gallants due to poor results. At 34 years old, Folz is young for a coach, but his career has seen ups and downs, making this latest firing another setback.
Patrick Mabedi Steps In as Interim Coach
With Folz out, Yanga quickly named Patrick Mabedi as interim head coach. Mabedi, a former Kaizer Chiefs defender from Malawi, knows African football well. He played for Chiefs in the early 2000s and has coached in his home country, including with the Malawi national team.
Mabedi’s first big test will be the return leg against Silver Strikers. He aims to steady the ship and get Yanga back to winning ways. The club has not named a timeline for a permanent replacement, but they will likely look for someone with a strong track record in African competitions.
This change comes at a key time for Yanga, who want to make a mark in the CAF Champions League after strong showings in past seasons.
Reactions from Fans and Football Pundits
News of Folz’s exit spread fast on social media, with mixed feelings from fans. Some Yanga supporters were relieved, saying: “Finally! We need a coach who understands our style.” Others felt it was too soon, pointing to early wins like the Community Shield.
South African football fans, remembering Folz from local leagues, shared sympathy but also jokes. “Another one bites the dust for Folz – tough luck,” one X user posted. Pundits like former player Siphiwe Tshabalala said the pressure at big clubs like Yanga is huge, and results matter most.
The Tanzanian football community worries about stability at Yanga, a club with a massive following. Rivals like Simba SC might see this as a chance to pull ahead in the league.
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