MIGUEL Gamondi, along with his assistant Moussa Ndaw, has been dismissed as the head coach of Young Africans SC.

The Argentine tactician (pictured), who spent one and a half years at the helm, was officially informed of the club’s decision yesterday morning. His final game in charge was a stunning 3-1 defeat to Tabora United in the NBC Premier League last week.

Gamondi’s dismissal comes in the wake of Young Africans’ first consecutive league defeats since February 2020. 

The defending champions began the 2024/25 season in spectacular form, winning their opening eight league matches and amassing 24 points. 

However, a 1-0 loss to Azam FC followed by the shocking 3-1 defeat to Tabora United saw Young Africans slip to second place, one point behind arch-rivals Simba SC.

The recent slump marks a sharp decline for a team that had been dominant for most of the season.

The club released a statement confirming the decision:

"The management of Young Africans Sports Club wishes to inform the public that it has terminated the contract of the head coach of the first team, Angel Miguel Gamondi. Similarly, the management has terminated the contract of the assistant coach, Moussa Ndaw."

The club also announced that the process to find replacements was already underway, with former KMC coach Abdihamid Moallin rumoured to be joining the reshuffled technical bench.

"The urgent process of finding new coaches for our first team has already begun and is expected to be completed soon," the statement, signed by the club’s chief executive officer, added.

Despite the abrupt end to his tenure, Gamondi leaves behind a notable legacy. Appointed in July 2023 to replace Nasreddine Nabi, the 57-year-old Argentine achieved significant success:

·         NBC Premier League Champion: Guided Young Africans to a third consecutive league title.

·         CAF Champions League Breakthrough: Led the club to the group stage for the first time in 25 years and subsequently to the quarter-finals, making history with a dominant 4-0 victory over CR Belouizdad.

·         Federation Cup Success: Secured back-to-back Federation Cup titles.

·         Community Shield Glory: Started the current campaign with a Community Shield win.

·         Historic Win Over Simba SC: Oversaw a 5-1 thrashing of Simba SC in November 2023, Young Africans’ biggest win over their rivals since 1968.

In total, Gamondi led Young Africans in 40 Premier League matches, recording 34 wins, 4 draws, and just 4 losses. His teams scored 85 goals, conceded only 18, and amassed 104 points during his tenure. 

This season, Gamondi managed 16 matches in all competitions, winning 14 and losing two.

Young Africans are gearing up for a challenging CAF Champions League campaign. Drawn in Group A, the team will face African giants Al Ahly (Egypt), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), and MC Alger (Algeria). The club now faces the dual challenge of ensuring a smooth transition and competing effectively on the continental stage.

The decision to part ways with Gamondi followed an emergency meeting held after the Tabora United defeat, where the team’s recent performance was reviewed.

As Young Africans prepare to unveil their new technical bench, the focus will be on stability and continuity. With tough fixtures ahead in both the domestic and continental arenas, the incoming coach will have little time to settle.

Gamondi’s dismissal has sparked debate among fans and pundits. While some argue that recent losses justified the decision, others believe his achievements warranted more time.

For Young Africans, the immediate task is clear: restore confidence, maintain domestic dominance, and perform on the continental stage. 

The Jangwani faithful will be hoping for a seamless transition as the club enters a critical phase of the season.