The club confirmed the decision on Saturday, 24 October 2026, announcing that Mngqithi and fellow South African coach Chyna Mokaila had been relieved of their duties.
Mngqithi’s departure comes barely three and a half months after his appointment on a two-year contract in July, despite helping Yanga win the Tanzanian Community Shield and qualify for the CAF Champions League group stage.
Derby defeat and dropped points prove costly
The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach came under increasing pressure following Yanga’s 2–1 defeat to arch-rivals Simba SC on 10 October.
The loss ended Yanga’s winning run in the NBC Premier League and allowed Simba, coached by fellow South African tactician Steve Barker, to strengthen their position at the top of the standings.
Yanga then failed to respond with a victory, drawing 0–0 with TRA United on Saturday. The result left the defending champions five points behind their rivals after eight league matches.
For a club accustomed to competing for domestic honours, the consecutive setbacks proved costly, with the management opting to make a change rather than continue with Mngqithi’s project.
Promising start overshadowed by domestic struggles
Mngqithi arrived in Tanzania with considerable experience, having spent several years in South African football, particularly with Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.
His early results suggested that he could maintain Yanga’s domestic dominance. He guided the club to a 1–0 victory over Simba in the Community Shield and oversaw their progress through the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League.
Yanga defeated Botswana’s Gaborone United 3–2 on aggregate before recording an emphatic 12–1 aggregate victory over Madagascar’s CFFA to reach the continental competition’s group stage.
However, the derby defeat and subsequent draw against TRA United raised concerns about the team’s consistency in the league.
According to Tanzanian media reports, questions had also emerged over the coach’s tactical approach and his relationship with some senior players. The club’s announcement, however, did not officially identify dressing-room tensions as a reason for his departure.
Mngqithi leaves with a trophy and continental progress
Despite his early exit, Mngqithi leaves behind some achievements from his brief tenure.
His first major success was winning the Community Shield against Simba, while qualification for the CAF Champions League group stage represented another important milestone.
His overall record was also stronger than the recent domestic results alone might suggest. Reports from Tanzania indicate that Yanga recorded 10 wins, two draws and one defeat across 13 competitive matches under his leadership.
The contrast between that record and the decision to part ways highlights the pressure at one of East Africa’s most demanding clubs, where maintaining league dominance is a major expectation.
Yanga face another coaching transition
Mngqithi’s departure leaves Yanga needing a new technical leader as they seek to recover ground in the league and prepare for the challenges of continental football.
The next appointment will be important for a club determined to remain competitive on both fronts. The incoming coach will inherit a squad that has demonstrated its ability to win consistently but must respond to the recent loss of momentum.
For Mngqithi, the departure brings an abrupt end to his first coaching assignment in Tanzania. His next move has not been announced.
Yanga will now look to restore stability and close the gap on Simba as the 2026/27 season continues.