Tanzanian giants Yanga have appointed former APR coach Ernie Brandts as their new coach to replace Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, Times Sport has learnt.

Ernie Brandts

Saintfiet was sacked just over two months of joining the club which he helped to retain the Cecafa/Kagame Cup title in July.

Yanga FC vice president Clement Sanga told Times Sport yesterday on phone from Dar es Salaam, “We have signed Brandts on a one-year contract.”

Sanga never went into the details of Brandts’ contract and what they expect from him but of course the main expectation will be to guide the Jangwani Street team to the Mainland Premier League, retain the Cecafa Kagame Cup crown, and good performance in the CAF Orange Confederation Cup.

The Dutchman beat off competition from AS Vita coach Raoul Shungu and Police FC coach Goran Kopunovic to the post.

Brandts’ contract with APR was not renewed when it expired on August 31 after he led the military side to a fourth place finish in the Kagame Cup and a below par display in the Caf Champions League.

In two seasons, he helped APR to two Primus National football league titles and two MTN Peace Cup trophies. He was replaced by Eric Nshimiyimana

Brandts, 56, took over from compatriot Erik Paske, who had replaced another Dutchman Rene Feller.

The Dutchman, who played for the Netherlands in the 1978 Fifa World Cup, takes charge of Yanga where he reunites with his two former players at APR, Haruna Niyonzima and Mbuyu Twite.

Yanga, now with four points after three games, are determined to wrestle the League title from their arch-rivals Simba.

In-form Simba, the only team with a 100 per cent record this season so far, top the 14-team league with nine points from three outings, two points ahead of their nearest challengers Azam FC.

By Bonnie Mugabe, The New Times