AFC Leopards’ Corporate Taskforce, led by chairperson Vincent Shimoli, embarked on a benchmarking trip to Tanzania from Wednesday through Friday, aiming to study the corporate model of the Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga SC).

While the taskforce’s intent is to adopt successful corporate strategies, the trip has sparked differing opinions among the club’s supporters, questioning the individuals leading the operation.

Former AFC Leopards media lead Mbakaya Khwa Milimu has expressed scepticism regarding the trip, drawing comparisons to past leadership mishaps.

According to Milimu, the club’s current efforts echo a similar attempt in 2015, when then-chairman Allan Kasavuli, alongside CEO Richard Ekhalie, allegedly tried to transfer control of the club under questionable circumstances.

The attempt was swiftly opposed by members, leading to Kasavuli’s impeachment, with 89 per cent of the members signing to remove him from office.

Milimu recounts how the club was left in disarray after that crisis, with branches tasked with ensuring the club stayed afloat.

“The guys left the club in tatters, and I recall we worked tirelessly to ensure the team attended matches. That’s where the leadership of the Facebook Branch, Executive Branch, and Pipeline under Dan Mule, plus other branches and legends who nominated Peter Lichungu, saved the day and managed to sort out Opwora and crew despite the challenges faced,” Milimu stated.

These efforts were a testament to the unity of the club’s fan base, which played a pivotal role in overcoming internal challenges.

He further expressed concerns about the return of individuals such as Ekhalie, stating, “Fast forward to 2024, Ekhalie and the same clique are back with snake oil merchant tales again in the name of saving the club. Ingwe fans forget so fast.”