Young Africans SC have parted ways with head coach Manqoba Mngqithi with immediate effect after a disappointing league draw left the Tanzanian giants five points behind rivals Simba SC.

The club confirmed on Saturday that it has terminated the contracts of Mngqithi and his assistant, Chyna Mokaila. In an official statement, the Young Africans leadership thanked both men for their contributions and wished them well in their future roles. The process to appoint a new head coach has already started and is expected to be completed soon.

The decision came straight after Yanga’s 0-0 draw with TRA United at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha. The result left the defending champions with 19 points from their league matches so far. Simba SC, coached by fellow South African Steve Barker, sit top of the table with 28 points and now hold a clear five-point advantage over their old rivals.

Mngqithi only arrived at Yanga in July this year after leaving Golden Arrows. The former Mamelodi Sundowns assistant took over a club that had just secured a fifth straight league title under caretaker Abdihamid Moallin. He was brought in to bring stability and to push the team deeper into the CAF Champions League after several short-term coaches in recent seasons.

On the continental front, Mngqithi delivered. His side reached the Champions League group stage with an emphatic 8-1 aggregate win over Madagascar’s CFF Andoharanofotsy earlier this week. Domestically, however, results have not been strong enough for the board or the fans. A recent Kariakoo Derby defeat to Barker’s Simba already raised questions, and the draw against a struggling TRA United proved to be the final straw.

Yanga fans and officials expect the club to stay in the title race and make a serious impact in Africa. With the gap to Simba growing and the group stage of the Champions League still to come, the club has chosen to make a change now rather than wait. Mngqithi’s short stint ends after just a few months in charge. The search for his replacement is already under way as Young Africans look to close the gap on their biggest rivals and defend their league crown.

Source: https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2114069646567526584