Young Africans Appoint Romain Folz as New Head Coach to Lead CAF Champions League Charge, as the Tanzanian giants officially confirmed the 35-year-old French-Moroccan tactician’s appointment on 23 July 2025, aiming to elevate their performance in domestic and continental football.
By Sello Masilo
Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga), the reigning Tanzanian Premier League champions, have unveiled Romain Folz as their new head coach. The announcement, made on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, at the club’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam, follows weeks of speculation and negotiations. Folz, a former assistant coach at Mamelodi Sundowns, replaces Miloud Hamdi, who moved to Egyptian club Ismaily. The appointment has sparked excitement among Yanga’s passionate fanbase, known as Wananchi, who hope Folz’s dynamic approach will propel the club to new heights in the 2025-26 CAF Champions League and domestic competitions.
A New Chapter for Yanga: Folz’s Appointment and Vision
The appointment of Romain Folz, a 35-year-old coach with a UEFA Pro Licence, marks a bold step for Yanga as they aim to dominate African football. The club, which completed a clean sweep of domestic silverware in the 2024-25 season, including the Tanzanian Premier League and Community Shield, is banking on Folz’s tactical expertise to achieve a breakthrough in the CAF Champions League. Sources close to the club revealed that negotiations for a two-year contract, with an option for a third year, were finalised after Folz emerged as the top candidate over other contenders, including Mamelodi Sundowns’ Rulani Mokwena and ASEC Mimosas’ Julien Chevalier.
Yanga’s president, Hersi Ally Said, reportedly received a glowing endorsement from FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, who praised Folz’s work during their collaboration at the FIFA High Performance Development programme. This high-profile backing has raised expectations, with fans hopeful that Folz can lead Yanga to at least the CAF Champions League semi-finals, a milestone the club has yet to achieve.
In his first statement as head coach, Folz expressed excitement about joining “one of East Africa’s most storied clubs.” He promised to bring an “energetic, high-tempo style of play” that aligns with Yanga’s ambitions to compete with Africa’s elite, such as Al Ahly and TP Mazembe. “I’m honoured to lead Yanga and work with its talented players and passionate supporters. Our goal is to build on the club’s domestic success and make a mark in the CAF Champions League,” Folz said.
Folz’s Coaching Journey: A Rising Star in African Football
Romain Folz, born on 28 June 1990 in Bordeaux, France, brings a wealth of experience despite his relatively short coaching career. Known for his analytical mind and modern coaching methods, Folz has built a reputation across Africa and beyond. His journey began in 2018 as head coach of West Virginia United in the United States, where he recorded 14 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses in 20 games. He then served as assistant coach for Uganda’s national team in 2019 and Egypt’s Pyramids FC, before taking charge of Ghana’s Bechem United in 2020 and Ashanti Gold in 2021.
In 2021, Folz made history at Botswana’s Township Rollers, leading the club to second place in the Botswana Premier League with 20 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in 24 games. His high-pressing, possession-based style earned him the nickname “The Boss” among fans. In 2022, he moved to South Africa, becoming the youngest head coach in the DStv Premiership at Marumo Gallants, though his tenure was cut short due to reported management interference. He later joined AmaZulu FC, initially as head coach and then as technical director, before a brief stint at Guinea’s Horoya AC in 2023.
Most recently, Folz served as assistant coach at Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2024-25 season alongside Manqoba Mngqithi, but both were relieved of their duties in December 2024. His final role before Yanga was at Algeria’s Olympique Akbou, where he took over a relegation-threatened side in March 2025 and guided them to safety with key wins against top teams like MC Alger. This resilience under pressure caught Yanga’s attention, making him a prime candidate for their ambitious project.
Strengthening the Technical Team: Majdi Mnasria Joins Folz
Alongside Folz, Yanga confirmed the appointment of Tunisian coach Majdi Mnasria as goalkeeping coach, replacing Alae Meskini, who moved to Moroccan club AS FAR Rabat. Mnasria, a highly experienced coach with stints in Tunisia, Algeria, and South Africa, previously worked with Folz at Olympique Akbou, helping secure the club’s top-flight status. His expertise at clubs like El Gawafel Sportives de Gafsa and ES Metlaoui will bolster Yanga’s backroom staff as they prepare for a gruelling season.
Folz is also expected to bring in additional staff from the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), with reports suggesting a familiar face from his Mamelodi Sundowns days may join him in Dar es Salaam. This move underscores his intent to build a robust technical team capable of implementing his vision of disciplined, attacking football.
Why Folz? Yanga’s Strategic Choice
Yanga’s decision to appoint Folz reflects their desire for a young, innovative coach who can blend modern tactics with the club’s rich tradition. At 35, Folz will be the youngest coach in the 2025-26 CAF Champions League, a fact that has generated buzz across African football circles. His preferred 4-3-3 defending formation, which emphasises quick transitions and midfield control, is seen as a perfect fit for Yanga’s talented squad, including South African winger Mahlatse “Skudu” Makudubela, whom Folz coached at Marumo Gallants. Makudubela, the first South African to play in the Tanzanian league, has been praised by Folz for his professionalism and game-changing ability.
The club’s leadership believes Folz’s experience across diverse football cultures—spanning the US, Uganda, Egypt, Ghana, Botswana, South Africa, Guinea, and Algeria—equips him to handle the pressures of leading a club with Yanga’s stature. His short but impactful stint at Akbou, where he turned around a struggling side in just eight games, demonstrated his ability to deliver results under tight timelines, a skill Yanga hopes will translate to their continental aspirations.
Challenges and Expectations: The Road Ahead for Folz
Folz steps into a high-pressure role at Yanga, where expectations are sky-high. The club’s back-to-back Tanzanian Premier League titles and strong CAF Confederation Cup performances have raised the bar, with fans demanding a deeper run in the CAF Champions League. Yanga’s squad, featuring stars like Stephane Aziz Ki and Khalid Aucho, is among the strongest in East Africa, but Folz must navigate tough opponents like Mamelodi Sundowns, Esperance, and Al Hilal in continental play.
Off the field, Folz will need to manage the intense scrutiny that comes with coaching one of Tanzania’s biggest clubs. Yanga’s rivalry with Simba SC, known as the Kariakoo Derby, is one of Africa’s fiercest, and fans expect nothing less than victory. Additionally, Folz must address logistical challenges, such as ensuring the squad is ready for pre-season training, which begins soon to prepare for the 2025-26 season kickoff in August.
Financially, Yanga’s recent success has been bolstered by sponsorships and increased revenue from their 60,000-capacity Benjamin Mkapa Stadium. The club’s budget for the upcoming season reportedly includes funds for new signings to strengthen the squad, with Folz expected to play a key role in recruitment. His time at Marumo Gallants, where he scouted talents like Junior Dion (now at AmaZulu) and Ismael Toure (Stellenbosch), suggests he has an eye for uncovering gems.
Fan and Analyst Reactions: Optimism and Caution
Yanga fans have taken to social media to express excitement, with many calling Folz’s appointment a “game-changer” for Tanzanian football. Posts on X highlighted his youth and tactical nous, with some noting the Wenger endorsement as a sign of his potential. However, analysts caution that Folz’s short tenures at previous clubs—averaging 0.43 years—raise questions about his staying power. His abrupt exits from Marumo Gallants and AmaZulu, often due to disagreements with management, suggest he’ll need strong support from Yanga’s board to succeed.
The Tanzanian football community is also watching how Folz will integrate with local coaches and players. His predecessor, Miguel Gamondi, was criticised for underusing talents like Makudubela, and fans hope Folz’s familiarity with the player will unlock his potential. The appointment of Mnasria as goalkeeping coach has been praised as a smart move, given his track record in developing keepers who can handle high-pressure matches.
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