Online Reporter
Praise Dhlakama, Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHEN one drives past Lukosi, a small rural community about 10km from Hwange town, they may not imagine it as a breeding ground for football talent.
The area, tucked between St Mary’s Mission and the Lukosi River, has long been passionate about the beautiful game but short on professional success stories.
Today, one name is changing that narrative, Marcelline Mlilo.
Born at Victoria Falls Hospital on 30 January 2003, Mlilo grew up chasing footballs across the dusty grounds of St Mary’s Primary and later Lukosi Secondary. His mother, Sinikiwe Mlilo, was the first to see his potential.
“My mother loves football. She’s known for that in our area. She encouraged me and my brother Praymore to keep working hard and I’m happy that we both kept going,” he recalled.
In 2019, a hat-trick against rivals Nengasha Stars in the Matabeleland North Division Two league gave the young midfielder his first taste of local fame.
“I will never forget that day. We beat them 6–2 and I still get goose-bumps when I remember that match,” he said, grinning.
His big break came when then Hwange FC coach Bongani Mafu signed him from Lukosi Pirates for the 2021/22 season. At just 19, Mlilo stepped onto the Colliery turf, the same ground he had once only dreamt of playing on.
“It’s every boy’s dream here in Lukosi to play for Chipangano. For me, it’s a dream come true,” he said at the time.
Fast-forward to 2025 and that dream has turned into a remarkable reality. Now 22, Mlilo has become a central figure in Hwange’s midfield and to everyone’s surprise, he walked away with the Southern Region Soccer League Golden Boot Award, scoring 13 goals from midfield.
He beat Nkayi United’s Tino Chitete and Anesu Saiti of champions Bulawayo Chiefs to the gong.
“Honestly, I never thought I would score as many as 10 goals from where I was playing. My job was mainly to assist rather than score,” Mlilo admitted.
“I’m still shocked, but at the same time, I’m excited. Credit goes to my coaches and teammates. We wanted promotion, but it didn’t happen. Still, we stayed united as a team.”
Hwange finished second in the league with 75 points missing out on promotion to the top-flight league. Mlilo’s final-day brace against Victoria Falls Herentals sealed his top-scorer status, a fitting climax to a season that cemented his name among the region’s finest.
Those who have followed his rise aren’t surprised. Mlilo has always been described as a player who “can do anything with the ball except make it talk.” His left foot, balance and vision have earned him comparisons to some of Zimbabwe’s most gifted playmakers.
A deadball specialist, Mlilo has the potential to become yet another Hwange product to make a mark in domestic football, following in the footsteps of the likes of Carrington Gomba, Malvin Longwe, Winston Mhango and Andrew Chuma.
However, beneath the flair lies the humility of a young man grounded in gratitude.
“My wish is to play at the highest level and make my mother proud. She has been my pillar of strength. I want to be the breadwinner and take care of all her needs.”
From the dusty fields of Lukosi to the bright lights of the Colliery, Mlilo’s journey is a story of persistence, talent and the quiet power of rural dreams. The next big thing? Perhaps he already is.
derick.khumalo