Kagisho Dikgacoi counting on overseas experience in Young Africans job

By Benjamin Leshoro
25th July 2026

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi says his experience of playing outside South Africa will stand him in good stead in his new job at Young Africans.

Dikgacoi was recently appointed as set piece coach to Manqoba Mngqithi at the Tanzanian giants. In an exclusive interview with SABC Sport, Dikgacoi admitted that it’s a role that takes him out of his comfort zone since retiring as a player. The Brandfort-born former anchor-man turned out for Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Cardiff City in the English Premier League in his younger days, and believes this taught him how to survive away from home.

"It takes me out of my comfort zone, but I have to adapt very quickly because I know what it's like being away from home, and I've been in this position before, even when I was still playing football. Even though it's been in different places and with different weather, cultures, and people, it's something I am used to. So for me, it doesn't really matter if I am out of my comfort zone," said Dikgacoi.

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Yanga is the most successful club in Tanzania with a total of 32 league titles, and have also won the championship for the last five consecutive seasons. Dikgacoi admits that the expectations will be high from both the fans and management, and believes they can not only keep the momentum going but also get them to dominate on the continental front.

"Yanga is a big club with a rich history, and a lot is expected from us to deliver and continue where the team left off in the past five seasons, winning league titles. But we can only hope and pray to help the team achieve even more, especially in the CAF Champions League."

South African coaches have made inroads in other African countries recently, with the likes of Rulani Mokwena, Eric Tinkler, Fadlu Davids, Benni McCarthy, and Morena Ramoreboli being trusted with big projects in different countries. KG believes it says a lot about their quality that they are taking over big teams and national teams on the continent.

Dikgacoi played under Mngqithi in both of their first spells at Lamontville Golden Arrows, before the former was snapped up by Fulham. He says their bond was formed then, and he continues to learn from him now as a coach.