Meet the new Yanga SC coach for the 2025/2026 season and learn about his career and achievements in African football.
Personal Details
Full Name: Pedro Valdemar Soares Gonçalves
Date of Birth: February 7, 1976
Age: 49 years old (as of October 2025)
Nationality: Portuguese (Portugal)
Place of Birth: Lisbon
Languages Spoken: Portuguese, English, Spanish
Current Club: Young Africans S.C. (Tanzania)
Joined Yanga: October 2025
Coaching History
Early Career (Portugal)
2000–2002: Youth Coach – Amora FC
2002–2004: Assistant Coach – C.D. Cova da Piedade
2004–2015: Youth Development Coach – Sporting CP Academy (Lisbon)
African Experience (Angola)
2015–2018: Youth Teams Coach – Primeiro de Agosto (Angola)
2018–2019: Head Coach – Angola U-17 National Team
Achievements:
Won the 2018 COSAFA U-17 Championship
Led Angola to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2019 for the first time in the country’s history
National Team – Angola (2019–2025)
Position: Head Coach – Angola Senior National Team
Period: 2019–2025
Major Competitions Coached:
AFCON 2021 (Africa Cup of Nations)
CHAN 2022 (African Nations Championship)
CHAN 2024 (African Nations Championship)
Pedro Gonçalves became known for his disciplined attacking style of play, often employing 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations.
He emphasized tactical balance, quick transitions, and high pressing, encouraging creative yet structured football.
During his time with Angola, he played a key role in raising the standard of the national team by integrating young, homegrown players from domestic clubs into the senior setup. His approach helped build a more dynamic and competitive team that reflected the growing talent within Angolan football.
Young Africans S.C. (Yanga) – Tanzania
Period: October 2025 – Present
Pedro Gonçalves was appointed as the Head Coach of Young Africans S.C. (Yanga) in October 2025, taking over from the outgoing coach at the end of the 2024/25 season.
His arrival marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Tanzanian champions, with high expectations for continued domestic success and improved performance in continental competitions.
Its main goal is:
To continue Yanga’s success
in the Tanzanian Premier League
(NBC Premier League)
To go further in the CAF
Champions League
To improve the youth training system
within the club
Major Achievements
L COSAFA U-17 Championship –
Champion (2018)
Y Qualified for FIFA U-17 World Cup –
Angola for the first time (2019)
Led Angola to qualify for AFCON
(2021)
To participate in CHAN – quarter-finals (2024)
A coach who greatly contributed
to the development of youth football in Africa
