Fadlu Davids returns to Tanzania as Young Africans appoint new coach

South African coach Fadlu Davids has returned to Tanzania after being appointed by Young Africans, replacing compatriot Manqoba Mngqithi.

The Tanzanian club confirmed the appointment late on Friday, welcoming the former Raja Casablanca coach with the message: “Karibu Young Africans SC, Fadlu Davids.”

Davids is already familiar with Tanzanian football, having previously managed Young Africans’ bitter rivals Simba SC before moving to Morocco, where he coached Raja.

His first major challenge will be to close the gap on Simba in the Tanzanian Premier League. Simba, managed by Steve Barker, have built a five-point lead over Young Africans after 10 matches this season.

Davids said he was pleased to be back in a country where he had previously felt welcomed.

“I feel happy. I feel Tanzania is home. The people of Tanzania have always welcomed me, showed me love. And very good to be back to join this big club,” he told local media after arriving in Dar es Salaam.

He added that Young Africans president Eng. Hersi Said had outlined plans to rebuild the club while preserving its domestic success.

“I received a call from the president (Eng. Hersi Said) and he explained to me the project. Yanga has had domestic success over the last five years. He wants a rebuild and to maintain that success.”

Davids will also be expected to address concerns about discipline within the Young Africans squad.

Mngqithi, who recently left the club, said last month that a lack of professionalism had become a regular problem, with some senior players allegedly able to ignore training without facing significant consequences.

“The team needs to improve that level of professionalism. At Yanga, it’s normal for a player not to come to training,” Mngqithi said in an interview with Metro FM.

“And after not having come to training, maybe you don’t even get much in terms of the disciplinary actions for the player. And I think those aspects are fundamentally destroying the club. The club must understand that the players are paid to do their work. And we should never compromise in that aspect.”

Young Africans had initially appeared likely to appoint former TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic. However, reports suggested the proposed deal collapsed because Ramovic needed to deal with family matters.

Ramovic could not be reached to verify those claims.