A former highly rated Kaizer Chiefs defender has joined Tanzanian giants Young Africans SC as part of head coach Romain Folz’s backroom staff for the 2025/26 season.
Following reports that Folz could leave Yanga SC, the Frenchman has strengthened his technical team by roping in a former Amakhosi captain as his assistant coach.
Folz joined Yanga before the start of the season, replacing French-Algerian Miloud Hamdi, who is now with Egyptian side Ismaily SC. Yanga have so far played two Tanzanian Premier League matches this season, recording a win and a draw to sit in position four on the standings.
But that still left him with the need to beef up his backroom staff, and he has invited Patrick Mabedi to work with him. The ex-Malawi skipper arrived in Dar es Salaam armed with the recent experience of being the Malawi National Team coach.
He also previously worked as an understudy to Steve Komphela and Giovanni Solinas at Chiefs.
Recently, Mabedi was linked with a move back to Amakhosi following Nasreddine Nabi’s departure. But the Young Africans role will see him based in East Africa, following the Soweto giants’ decision to name Cedric Kaze and Khalil Ben Youssef to oversee first-team business for the rest of the season.
YOUNG AFRICANS’ CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TASK
Mabedi’s arrival at Yanga comes as the Tanzanian heavyweights are trying to make an impression in Africa.
Folz has managed to lead the capital city club to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after beating Angolan side Wiliete SC in the first round 5-0 on aggregate.
Yanga now travel to Mabedi’s home country, Malawi, to face Silver Strikers in the first leg of the second preliminary round on Saturday. The presence of the former Chiefs defender appeared to have helped Folz plot against the Malawian outfit.
“We are preparing as best as we can to respond to the challenges that are in front of us,” said Folz, who coached in the Betway Premiership. “It’s the Champions League and every team has their strength. They are a good team, just like the other team we played in the previous round. From our analysis, we know what to expect from them.
“We know what to do on our end. I always say it’s one thing knowing your opponent and the other respecting the opponent, which we always do.”
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