YOUNG Africans Sports Club (Yanga) have unveiled an ambitious youth football development project, the Yanga Soccer Schools, aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent across Tanzania.

The program will officially be launched this Saturday in Dar es Salaam, with decorated South African coach Pitso Mosimane set to attend as the guest of honour. Mosimane, one of Africa’s most respected coaches with a record of continental success at Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, runs similar youth programs in South Africa and is expected to share his expertise and explore collaboration opportunities with the club.

 The Yanga Soccer Schools will cater to players in three age categories — Under-11, Under-13, and Under-15 — offering structured football education within a safe, professional environment designed to build technical and tactical skills from an early age.

 Speaking during the announcement, Young Africans chief executive officer Andrew Mtine (pictured) described the initiative as a key part of the club’s long-term strategy to develop talent from within and contribute to national football growth.

 “This is another proud moment for Young Africans,” Mtine said. “We are introducing Yanga Soccer Schools to identify, nurture, and develop football talent in this country. Tanzania has over 26 million people aged between 0 and 14. Even if we reach just a small percentage, we can build a solid foundation for the future of Tanzanian football.”

 Mtine added that the project draws inspiration from Europe’s player development models, where young players graduate into senior teams as teenagers. “In Europe, you see 16 and 17-year-olds playing first-team football. We have the population, we have the talent and what we need is structure. That’s exactly what Yanga Soccer Schools will offer,” he said.

 Young Africans technical director Paul Mathews emphasized that the program’s focus will be on developing technical ability, discipline, and football intelligence. “We want to provide a learning environment where children fall in love with the ball,” Mathews said. “It’s about ball mastery and creating a clear pathway, from the soccer schools to our academy, Under-17s, Under-20s, and ultimately the first team and the national side.”

 Registration for the Yanga Soccer Schools will cost TSh 600,000 for the first month, which covers enrollment and training equipment, and TSh 400,000 in subsequent months.