Founded in 1935, the club plays their home games at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Chang'ombe ward of Temeke District.

Young Africans became associated with nationalists, freedom fighters and Sam Gosmore and inspired the political party TANU to adopt yellow and green as their primary colours.

The club holds a long-standing rivalry with Simba, with whom they contest the Kariakoo derby, named after the district where both teams were founded.

[5] On Wednesday, 17 May 2023, Young Africa made history when they became the first Tanzanian club to reach a CAF Confederation Cup final after defeating Marumo Gallants 4-1 on aggregate and they faced USM Algiers from Algeria on the Cup's Finals which they lost 2-2 on aggregate due to away goals.

The proponents of breaking away were Arabs who saw fit to cause conflict among the club members that led to a split.

[14] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.