Young Africans Sports Club (commonly referred to as Yanga) is a Tanzanian professional football club based at Jangwani ward of Ilala District in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania. Founded in 1935, the club plays their home games at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Chang'ombe ward of Temeke District.

Yanga
Full nameYoung Africans Sports Club
Nickname(s)Wananchi Fc
Vijana Stars (The Young Stars)
Wananchi (kiboko)
Founded11 February 1935; 89 years ago (1935-02-11), as New Young
StadiumBenjamin Mkapa Stadium
Capacity60,000
ManagerSead Ramović
LeagueTanzanian Premier League
2023–241st (champions)
Websitehttps://yangasc.africa/
Current season

Nicknamed Yanga "Timu ya Wananchi",[2] the club has won 30 Tanzanian Premier League titles and number of domestic cups, and have participated in multiple CAF Champions League editions. They have won the CECAFA Club Championship five times.

The club was ranked among the top ten clubs in Africa, at number 80, by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) in their 1 September 2022 – 30 August 2023 rankings. Globally, the club was ranked at number 104 in the IFFHS World Ranking.[3][4]

The club became a symbol of the anti-colonial movement. Young Africans became associated with nationalists, freedom fighters and Sam Gosmore and inspired the political party TANU to adopt yellow and green as their primary colours. The club is currently in a process that will keep the club ownership 49% for investors and the rest 51% to the club members.

The club holds a long-standing rivalry with Simba, with whom they contest the Kariakoo derby, named after the district where both teams were founded. The rivalry was ranked 5th as one of the most famous African derbies.[5]

On Wednesday, 17 May 2023, Young Africa made history when they became the first Tanzanian club to reach a CAF Confederation Cup final after defeating Marumo Gallants 4-1 on aggregate and they faced USM Algiers from Algeria on the Cup's Finals which they lost 2-2 on aggregate due to away goals.[6][7][8]

After winning the Tanzania Premier League Championship for a third consecutive time in the 2023-24 season, Yanga achieved a historical milestone of winning the country's Premier League title for the 30th time.[9]

History

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The club's roots can be traced as far back as the 1910s, but the officially recognised history of the club started in 1935 when Dar es Salaam residents, who were grouped as Africans by the colonial administration in Tanganyika, decided to form a football club to compete in a league which was full of "non-African" football clubs. The name New Young is said to be the club's first name. Later it was replaced by the name Dar es Salaam Young Africans SC, and eventually the name changed to Young Africans Sports Club.

After its establishment in 1935, its members squabbled over their team's poor performance and results. The club had an even poorer and unsatisfactory performance in 1936 that caused some of the members to split and form another team. The proponents of breaking away were Arabs who saw fit to cause conflict among the club members that led to a split. They succeeded, and together with dissidents formed a club known as Queens F.C. /sunderland fc (currently Simba). The two teams, Young Africans and Simba, have been rivals ever since.

In 2020, Yanga signed a consultancy deal with La Liga.[10] On 27 May, the members of the club agreed to change their club's ruling structure to allow private investments from other companies.

On 17 May 2023, Yanga for the first time in its history qualified to a Continental final after defeating Marumo Gallants in the semi-final.[11] On 3 June, Yanga Lost the 2023 CAF Confederation Cup final against USM Alger On Saturday, 16 September 2023, Yanga became the first African club to have over 2000 fans traveling with the team to an away CAF official match. The game was conducted at Kigali in Rwanda, a journey of 1156 km, which is over 20 hour drive distance. They bossed the game and of course thwarted the Sudanese side 2-0.[12][13]

Club leadership

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Period Chairman
1935–1939 Ali Said
1945–1947 Musa Suleiman
1948–1950 G. Khalifan
1950–1953 Hamis Penda
1953–1954 Nasib Mwande
1955–1961 Hafidh Mkweche
1961–1962 Abdul Jaffer
1963–1971 Abass Kandoro
1972–1977 Salim Salim
1978–1980 Mohamed Gulamhussein
1980–1986 Abass Kandoro
1986–1989 Mustapha Mwituka
1989–1993 Hassan Muhiddin
1994–1999 Tarimba Abbas
1999–2000 Rashid Kawawa
2000–2005 Francis Kifukwe
2007–2010 Imani Madega
2010–2012 Lloyd Nchunga
2012–2019 Yusuf Manji
2019–2022 Mshindo Msola
2022–present Eng Hersi Said

Club sponsorship

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Period Main sponsor Other sponsors
1996–1999 Biafra
2001–2005 Kilimanjaro Beer
2005–2008 Superdoll
2009–2015 Kilimanjaro Premium
2015–2020 SportPesa
2020–2021 SportPesa GSM Group
2021–present SportPesa GSM Group

Colours and badge

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Players

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Current squad

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As of 23 November 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   TAN Khomeny Abubakary
2 MF   TAN Aziz Andabwile
3 DF   TAN Bakari Mwamnyeto
4 DF   TAN Ibrahim Hamad
5 DF   TAN Dickson Job
7 MF   COD Maxi Nzengeli
8 MF   UGA Khalid Aucho
10 FW   BFA Stephane Aziz Ki
11 FW   COD Jean Baleke
12 FW   TAN Faridi Mussa
15 DF   TAN Kibwana Shomari
16 GK   TAN Abuutwalib Mshery
17 MF   ZAM Clatous Chama
18 MF   TAN Salum Abubakar
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 MF   TAN Jonas Mkude
21 DF   CIV Kouassi Attohoula
22 MF   TAN Sheikhan Ibrahim
23 DF   COD Chadrack Boka
24 FW   TAN Clement Mzize
25 FW   ZAM Kennedy Musonda
26 MF   CIV Pacôme Zouzoua
27 MF   TAN Mudathir Yahya
29 FW   ZIM Prince Dube
30 DF   TAN Nickson Kibabage
38 MF   KEN Duke Ooga Abuya
39 GK   MLI Djigui Diarra
40 FW   TAN Denis Nkane

Coaching staff

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Position Staff
Head Coach   Sead Ramović
1st Assistant Coach   -
2nd Assistant Coach and Fitness Coach   Taibi Lagrouni
Goalkeeping Coach   Alaa Meskini
Team Doctor   Mosses Etutu
Team Coordinator   Hafidh Ally
Team Manager   Walter Harrison
Kit Manager   Mahmoud Omary

Last updated: 23 November 2024
Source: [citation needed]

Management

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Position Staff
Chief Executive Officer   Andre Mtine
Competition Director   Ibrahim Mohamed
Director of Legal   Patrick Simon
Director of Marketing & Members Affair   Ibrahim Samwel
Senior Accountant   Ms Justina Kubila
Media Officer   Ally Kamwe
Logistics manager   Hafidh Ally
Content & Social Media Coordinator   Privatus Shayo
Office Assistant   Gabriel Sengo

Last updated: 23 November 2024
Source: [citation needed]

Honours

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Domestic

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Young Africans headquarters located on Twiga street, Jangwani, Dar es Salaam, East Tanzania
  • Tanzanian Premier League[14]
    • Champions (25): 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012/2013, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2021/2022, 2022/2023, 2023/2024
  • Nyerere Cup[15]
    • Champions (3): 1975, 1994, 1999
    • Runners-up (1): 2001
  • FAT Cup[16]
    • Champions (4): 2015/16, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24
    • Runners-up (2): 1996, 2021
  • Tusker Cup[15]
    • Champions (7): 1986, 1992, 1987, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2009
    • Runners-up (3): 2001, 2002, 2005
  • Mapinduzi Cup[15]
    • Champions (3): 2003, 2004, 2021
    • Runners-up (1): 2011
  • Community Shield[15]
    • Champions (8): 2001, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2024
    • Runners-up (7): 2002, 2005, 2013, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2017

Continental

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CECAFA Club Championship[17]

  • Champions (5): 1975, 1993, 1999, 2011, 2012
  • Runners-up (3): 1976, 1986, 1990

CAF Confederation Cup

  • Runners-up (1): 2023

Performance in CAF competitions

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1997 – Preliminary Round
1998 – Group stage (Top 8)
2001 – Second Round
2006 – Preliminary Round
2007 – Second Round
2009 – First Round
2010 – Preliminary Round
2012 – Preliminary Round
2014 – First Round
2016 – Second Round
2017 – First Round
2022 – First Round
2023 – Quarter finals
1969 – Quarter-finals
1970 – Quarter-finals
1971 – withdrew in Second Round
1972 – First Round
1973 – First Round
1975 – Second Round
1982 – Second Round
1984 – First Round
1988 – First Round
1992 – First Round
1996 – Preliminary Round
2007 – Intermediate Round
2008 – First Round
2011 – Preliminary Round
2016 – Group stage (Top 8)
2018 – Group stage (Top 16)
2022–23 – Runners-up
1994 – First Round
1999 – First Round
1995 – Quarter-finals
2000 – First Round

References

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  1. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Hersi atoboa siri, Msola kuitanguliza Yanga iko hivi..." Mwananchi (in Swahili). 25 September 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  2. ^ "presstz.net - presstz Resources and Information". ww1.presstz.net. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  3. ^ "IFFHS". Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  4. ^ "IFFHS". Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  5. ^ "cheapgoals.com - Cheapgoals Resources and Information". www.cheapgoals.com. 2 March 2020. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Mayele shines as Yanga reach CAF Confederation Cup final against USM". 17 May 2023. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  7. ^ "Mayele stars as Yanga reach CAF Cup final against USM". Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  8. ^ "Young Africans to meet USM Alger in African Confederation Cup final". Reuters. 17 May 2023.
  9. ^ 30th time
  10. ^ "Tanzania's Yanga SC signs consultancy deal with La Liga". www.consultancy.africa. 9 July 2020. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  11. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "Mayele stars as Yanga make historic TotalEnergies CAF CC final | Total CAF Confederation Cup". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  12. ^ Football, CAF-Confedération Africaine du. "USM Alger clinch first ever continental title with TotalEnergies CAF CC win | Total CAF Confederation Cup". CAFOnline.com. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  13. ^ "USM Alger create history with Confederation Cup win". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Tanzania – List of Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  15. ^ a b c d "Tanzania – List of Cup Winners". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  16. ^ "Tanzania – List of Cup Winners". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  17. ^ "CECAFA Club Championship". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  18. ^ "CAF - News Center - News - NewsDetails". www.cafonline.com. Retrieved 2 October 2020.