Portuguese coach Pedro Soares Gonçalves, who recently left his high-profile role with Angola’s national team, has swiftly taken the helm of Tanzanian champions Young Africans S.C.
The club officially announced Gonçalves’ appointment on Sunday, marking a rapid return to management for the 49-year-old. He has signed a contract to lead the four-time Tanzanian champions until the end of the current season.
Gonçalves is joined by assistant coach Filipe Pedro and goalkeeper coach Fernando Pereira.
Our New Head Coach! #TimuKubwa #DaimaMbelePamoja pic.twitter.com/9uG9KqX36s
— Young Africans SC (@YangaSCTZ) September 29, 2024
His new role comes just one month after he departed from his position as Angola’s national team coach. That exit followed Angola’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Gonçalves held the Angolan national team job from 2019 until September, becoming the coach with the most victories and matches in the country’s history, securing 35 wins in 77 games.
Under his leadership, Angola qualified for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and achieved their best-ever performance at the tournament, held in 2024. He also guided them to win the COSAFA Cup in 2024, ending a 20-year drought for the title.
His coaching career began in Sporting Lisbon’s youth academy. He later gained prominence for his work with Angolan youth national teams, notably leading the U17 squad to an unprecedented World Cup qualification.