Miguel Gamondi opens up on why he chose Yanga  

He jetted into the country on Saturday dawn to take charge of the team's pre-season training.

The Argentine was officially announced as the new head coach of Young Africans, popularly known as Yanga, during the club’s Annual General Meeting held in Dar es Salaam last month.

He was unable to attend the unveiling occasion due to being out of the country.

The 59-year-old coach expressed his excitement over joining the 29-time Mainland Tanzania Premier League champions, considering it a significant opportunity after his year-long sabbatical from football.

He revealed why he rejected offers from Egyptian and Saudi Arabian clubs to sign for Yanga.

Gamondi said he was keen on joining Yanga because the ‘project’ at the club's base, AVIC Town in Kigamboni, convinced him and that is why he decided to come to Tanzania.

He also admitted the allure of playing in the CAF Champions League was a strong incentive.

The gaffer pointed out: “I think the reason is that I follow Yanga, they will play in the CAF Champions League... the main objective is the CAF Champions League.”

“I was very impressed with the presentation when I talked with the president and I have a good reference about this team,” Gamondi said.

He added: “After I got a little bit of rest because I was tired after all the years in Morocco, I want to have a good challenge. For me this offer was the best, I had offers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and others but I chose this project, I am very passionate and maybe we can have a good project here to work with the youths.”

The gaffer noted: “I am passionate about playing good football and making the fans happy. Of course, we need time to know the players, country, and competitions.”

Gamondi was introduced to African football back in 2000 as an assistant coach at the Libyan side, Al-Ahly Tripoli, before going to other continental elites like ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, Esperance Tunis and Etoile du Sahel both from Tunisia.

His major achievement was in 2008 when he guided South Africa's Platinum Stars to the round of 16 stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Gamondi will be tasked with guiding Yanga as far as they can go in the CAF Champions League and defend the domestic treble of the NBC Premier League, Azam Sports Federation Cup, and Community Shield.