DAR ES SALAAM: YOUNG Africans have confirmed the technical staff that will work under head coach Manqoba Mngqithi ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The club announced that Simo Dladla will serve as assistant coach, with former South Africa international Kagisho Dikgacoi appointed as setpiece coach. Yardaan Valodia joins as tactical performance analyst, while Greg Etaif takes charge as goalkeeping coach.
Dladla arrives with coaching experience across South African football, having managed Richards Bay, Uthongathi FC and Maritzburg United, while also serving as assistant coach at Maroka Swallows and Golden Arrows.
His achievements include guiding Maritzburg United to the ABC Motsepe Championship title and the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup. Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Dikgacoi brings extensive playing experience after spells with English clubs Fulham, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City.
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He won 55 caps for South Africa and represented his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2008 and 2013, as well as the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He was also part of the Fulham side that reached the 2010 UEFA Europa League final. Valodia joins after working as a performance analyst with Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka Swallows and Golden Arrows.
He has also been involved with South Africa’s Under-20 national team, helping the side win the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The analyst has also completed coaching and performance training with FC Barcelona and holds a CAF C coaching licence.
The appointments complete Mngqithi’s technical bench as Young Africans prepare for the new Mainland Premier League campaign, where they will defend the league title and compete in domestic and MANQOBA Mngqithi continental competitions.