Football Chief Senzo Mbatha Shares Simba, Yanga Lessons Kenyan Giants Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards Should Embrace

South African football administrator Senzo Mbatha has revealed the biggest lessons he drew from his time at Tanzanian giants Simba and Yanga, where he helped oversee a transformation that propelled the clubs into continental powerhouses.

Mbatha, who also served in senior executive roles at South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, is widely respected for driving structural reforms and professionalizing club management across Africa. 

Renowned for championing corporate governance, modern marketing strategies, and stronger financial systems within member-owned outfits, he has been credited with helping elevate East African football onto the continental stage.

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Speaking on Citizen TV’s Sporty Monday, Mbatha praised the culture he encountered in Tanzania when both Simba and Yanga were ready to embrace reform.

 He noted that shifting from traditional community-based outfits into European-style corporate models laid the foundation for their rapid rise.

“I came to Tanzania at a moment when everyone agreed the clubs needed transformation. Executives and owners decided to evolve into institutions that could compete not only locally but across Africa,” he said.

“The reception was positive, the mindset was right, but it was also challenging because most East African clubs are member-owned. The question was: how do you bring in money while ensuring members still have a voice? 

“It all comes down to governance. People think results start on matchday, but real success begins in the boardroom — with policies, structures, accountability, and financial muscle.”

Reflecting on his greatest achievement in Tanzania, Mbatha pointed to institutionalizing professionalism.

“The biggest success was showing why clubs need CEOs and corporate structures. When I joined Simba, they were still operating from a traditional clubhouse.’

“ We convinced the board to establish a corporate office, and within months, everything changed — from weekly planning with coaches to marketing, legal, and ticketing operations. That shift corporatized the club and laid the foundation for sustainability. 

“Challenges remain, but the transformation of Simba, Yanga, and even the Tanzanian league speaks for itself.”

In Kenya, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia — the country’s most decorated clubs — have long expressed a desire to adopt similar corporate models to attract investors, strengthen governance, and compete commercially with Simba and Yanga.

 However, their ambitions remain constrained by the Sports Act, which only allows clubs to register as societies. 

The law limits revenue growth and commercial opportunities, leaving both teams trapped in outdated structures that prevent them from unlocking their full potential.