Whenever a team is underperforming, much of the blame is directed at the coach. This is common in football because the coach is responsible for selecting the starting line-up, choosing tactics and deciding how the team will approach a match against its opponents. When results fall short of expectations, the technical bench is naturally the first to come under scrutiny.
However, not every poor result is caused by the coach's mistakes. Sometimes, players fail to fulfil their responsibilities on the pitch, leaving their coach to shoulder blame that could largely have been avoided if they had made better use of the chances they created.
This is what appears to be happening to Yanga coach Manqoba Mngqithi in the team's last two matches.
Simba Beat an Underperforming Yanga Side
Starting with the match against Simba, which Yanga lost 2-1, an assessment of the encounter suggests that the problem was not solely down to the technical bench's preparations, but also the performance of the players on the pitch.
Yanga appeared below their usual standard in several areas of the game, allowing Simba to take control and exploit their opponents' weaknesses. In a match like this, it is easy to blame the coach because he is responsible for ensuring that the team is ready to compete.
But the fundamental question is this: how well can a coach prepare a team if his players fail to carry out the instructions they have been given?
In football, tactics may look good on paper, but their success depends on the players' ability to execute them on the pitch. That is why a team can be well coached and still lose because of individual errors, poor decision-making and a dip in form from some of its key players.
CFFA Exposed Yanga's Finishing Problems Too
The same challenge emerged again in the CAF Champions League match against CFFA, where Yanga appeared capable of controlling the game and keeping their opponents pinned back in their own half for long periods.
The Wananchi created more than 20 scoring opportunities, including eight in the first half alone. These figures suggest that the team was able to reach dangerous areas and create favourable situations for scoring goals.
The biggest problem was their failure to convert those chances.
This is where the debate surrounding Mngqithi needs to be examined carefully. If a coach has prepared a team that can dominate possession, push the opposition back and create numerous scoring opportunities, then attention must also be paid to how the players perform their final task: putting the ball in the net.
With greater efficiency in front of goal, Yanga could have won by a much bigger margin. While it would be unrealistic to assume that every chance should have been converted, better finishing would clearly have changed the complexion of the match and significantly reduced the criticism directed at the technical bench.
A coach can organise attacks, instruct players on how to enter dangerous areas and position them to create scoring opportunities. But once he has done his part, the final responsibility rests with the players.
Aziz Ki Still Needs to Do More
Among the players expected to lead Yanga is Stephane Aziz Ki. The Wananchi faithful have high expectations of him because of the quality he has previously demonstrated while playing for the club.
However, his current form has yet to consistently reflect the level of excellence that fans became accustomed to seeing from him in previous seasons.
Aziz Ki has the ability to change the outcome of a match through his creativity, final passes and capacity to create scoring opportunities. That is why, when he is below his best, the impact can be seen in the way the team attacks and takes advantage of the chances available.
This does not mean that he alone is responsible for Yanga's problems. Rather, he is an example of how players with major responsibilities must raise their performance to meet the club's expectations and the demands of the coach's system.
Yanga need their key players to return to their best form, particularly in matches where victory depends on making the right decisions in dangerous areas.
Young Players Show That Places Should Be Earned Through Performance
Another issue worth examining is how some youngsters promoted from the U20 team are demonstrating their ability to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them.
While some experienced players have struggled to deliver what is required, the youngsters are getting opportunities to show that they can become important members of the first team.
One example is Kazimoto, who has continued to impress and strengthen his case for more playing time at Yanga. Based on his performances, he appears capable of competing for a role as an alternative to Yao Kouassi.
This is an important lesson for every player in the Yanga squad: a place in a big club's team should not be guaranteed by reputation or past achievements alone, but by the level of performance shown in training and on the pitch.
If young players can follow the coach's instructions, demonstrate tactical discipline and make the most of their opportunities, they deserve genuine competition with more experienced members of the squad.
For Mngqithi, this situation also presents an opportunity to send a message that no player should consider their place in the team secure without demonstrating the required level of performance.
Changing the Coach Alone Will Not Solve Everything
It is easy for fans to conclude that disappointing results require a change in the technical bench. In football, the coach often faces the greatest pressure because results are the most common measure of his performance.
But before deciding to dismiss Mngqithi, Yanga need to assess the root causes of their problems in detail.
Is the team struggling to create chances? Are they allowing opponents to dominate matches? Are the tactics failing to work? Or is the biggest problem that players are failing to convert opportunities and carry out their responsibilities?
The answers to these questions could help distinguish problems caused by the technical bench from those stemming from the players' performances.
If the team is creating numerous chances but failing to convert them, changing the coach alone may not provide an immediate solution. Similarly, if players continue making the same mistakes and failing to take responsibility, a new coach could find himself facing the same circumstances.
This does not mean Mngqithi has no areas to improve. Like any coach, he must assess his decisions, how he manages the squad and the team's ability to respond to opponents' challenges. However, that assessment must go hand in hand with an examination of the players' performances.
Yanga Players Must Also Take Responsibility
The truth is that Yanga cannot rely on their big name alone to deliver results. They need players who can turn the quality of the squad into goals and victories, especially in matches where the team creates plenty of opportunities to do so.
Mngqithi deserves criticism when his tactics or decisions are flawed. However, it is unfair to place all the blame on him without considering the contribution of players who fail to convert the chances their team creates.
Based on the matches against Simba and CFFA, there is a strong argument that some of Yanga's problems also require solutions on the pitch. The players must raise their performance levels, improve their finishing and demonstrate greater accountability.
Fans have every right to demand results, but those demands should be directed at everyone involved. The coach is responsible for preparing the team, while the players are responsible for executing the game plan.
Ultimately, the technical bench can be changed, but if the players continue to perform below their best, miss clear-cut chances and fail to fulfil their responsibilities, the problems may persist.
Perhaps the time has come for Yanga's stars to ask themselves not only what Mngqithi should do for them, but also what they themselves must do to rescue their team.
