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Coach Folz shakes things up: Yanga ditch South Africa plans for Egypt boot camp
Newly-appointed Yanga head coach Romain Folz
What you need to know:
- The Tanzanian Premier League giants had initially planned to pitch camp in either Namibia or South Africa, but Folz, who is known for his bold, no-nonsense approach, has opted for an intensive training programme in Egypt instead.
Dar es Salaam. Newly-appointed Yanga head coach Romain Folz has wasted no time in making his presence felt, scrapping the club’s initial pre-season plans and redirecting the squad to Egypt in a decisive shake-up that signals serious intent ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Tanzanian Premier League giants had initially planned to pitch camp in either Namibia or South Africa, but Folz, who is known for his bold, no-nonsense approach, has opted for an intensive training programme in Egypt instead.
According to insiders at the club, the decision is part of a broader strategy by the Frenchman to reset the tone and culture of the squad as they prepare for both domestic and continental challenges, including the CAF Champions League.
“There’s no Namibia. There’s no South Africa. Egypt is where we’re going and we’re working fast to make it happen,” a Yanga official told The Citizen.
Before heading to Egypt, however, Yanga will make a brief stopover in Rwanda to honour a pre-arranged friendly against Rayon Sports on August 15 for an agreement that predates Folz’s appointment.
Once the fixture is fulfilled, the squad will immediately proceed to Egypt, with Folz insisting that all key players, including new signings Celestine Ecua and Moussa Balla Conte, be on board.
Egypt was chosen not only for its world-class training facilities, but also for the relative calm it offers at this stage of the pre-season, with most top African clubs currently on camp elsewhere. Folz is said to prefer this environment for a focused, tactical build-up free from distractions.
His blueprint for the camp includes high-intensity training sessions, controlled friendlies, and tactical drills designed to mould a battle-ready side ahead of the new season.
This will mark the first time Yanga hold a pre-season in Egypt. The club’s last North African camp took place three years ago in Marrakech, Morocco.
Details regarding the specific training base in Egypt remain under wraps, but negotiations are ongoing.
Folz has also made it clear that he expects all his players to report to camp, with the exception of those currently representing their national teams at the African Nations Championship (CHAN). Depending on their tournament progress, they may link up with the squad at a later date.
With these early and decisive moves, the Folz era at Yanga has officially kicked off and with it, the club’s ambition for a dominant season ahead.
