South African Mngqithi to coach Tanzanian champions

The top two Tanzanian clubs will be coached by South Africans next season after champions Young Africans confirmed on Saturday that they have hired Manqoba Mngqithi.

Mngqithi has signed a two-year contract to replace caretaker Abdihamid Moallin, under whom Young Africans won the league title a record 31st time by two points from Dar es Salaam neighbours Simba.

The 55-year-old held four different coaching positions during 11 years at leading South African club Mamelodi Sundowns and moves to east Africa after one season with Durban-based Golden Arrows.

Simba won the FA Cup under South Africa coach Steve Barker and will represent Tanzania in the 2026-27 CAF Champions League with Young Africans.

Tanzania are among the top 12 countries in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) club rankings, allowing them to enter two teams.

Karibu Young Africans SC Kocha Mkuu MANQOBA MNGQITHI𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐊𝐈 𝐍𝐀 𝐊𝐈𝐌𝐀🔰#TimuYaWananchi #DaimaMbeleNyumaMwiko pic.twitter.com/IVnwiISadz

Meanwhile, Portuguese coach Pedro Goncalves, who was fired by Young Africans early last season, has joined Moroccan club FAR Rabat.

He succeeds compatriot Alexandre Santos, who quit Rabat after FAR finished fourth in the Moroccan title race.

Santos, who has moved to the Kuwait SC club, guided FAR to the Champions League final last season, which they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Sundowns.