Barely a month after his appointment as new head coach of Tanzanian football giant Young Africans, Tom Saintfiet has steered his side to winning the first trophy.
As defending champions the Belgian`s team nicknamed Yanga retained their Cecafa Club Cup crown after beating debutants Azam 2-0 in the final on Saturday in Dar es Salaam.
Hamis Kiiza scored just before half-time before Said Bahanuzi added another in stoppage time to delight over 30,000 fans inside the National Stadium.
Yanga captain Nadi Haroub later praised Saintfiet for the success. "The secret is our coach, he gave us directions and we followed - he is a good coach" he told BBC Sport.
For winning the title Yanga received prize money of US$30,000 from Rwanda`s President Paul Kagame, who has been the tournament sponsor since 2002.
Azam were given US$20,000 for their efforts and Vita Club of DR Congo, who finished third after beating APR of Rwanda 2-1, took home US$10,000.
Saintfiet only took charge at the beginning of July and winning this highly-regarded regional East and Central African club tournament represents a major achievement.
The 39-year-old former Brave Warriors coach signed a two-year deal with Tanzania´s reigning champion.
"When I had my first training at the Yanga training ground over one thousand fans were watching - it was amazing," said a delighted Saintfiet shortly after his arrival.
"The club has made a very professional first impression and the fans have welcomed me enormously," he added.
Meanwhile, Young Africans are excited about Saintfiet's appointment.
"He is one of the best coaches in Africa," said ´the club´s information officer Louis Sendeu.
"He is the one who taught Ethiopians their impressive style of play and we believe he is the right person for Yanga.
"We have negotiated and agreed with him. Before coming here, he gave us his conditions and of course we accepted them - that's why he is here."
A total of 27 coaches applied for the job.
Yanga are in an election period and their financier business tycoon Yusuph Manji is vying for the chairmanship position.
The employment of a high-profile coach is viewed by many as part of Manji's campaign to be elected as chairman of the most popular club in Tanzania.
Saintfiet recently lost his position as Nigeria's Technical Director.
Back in March, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) offered the Belgian a four-year deal with an expected monthly income of US$20,000.
Nigeria sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi, however, told football authorities to revoke the contract.
Subsequently, NFF chief Aminu Maigari said there is no job for Saintfiet. “We do not have any agreement or whatsoever with him.”
"Mr Saintfiet came for an interview as the technical director but he never signed any contractual agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation," Maigari told BBC Sport.
Reminded that the football house issued a communiqué to announce his appointment, Maigari replied: “A communiqué is neither an agreement nor a binding contract.”
Saintfiet admitted there was no signed contract but said he had a verbal agreement to take on the role and had turned down other job offers following the announcement of his appointment by the NFF.
"I said no because I had that agreement with the NFF, and for me a deal is a deal - and I respect the deals I make," he said.
Meanwhile, Nigerian sports minister Abdullahi has directed the NFF to appoint a local to do the job, but so far no-one has been given the job.