Hwange midfielder, Marcelline Mlilo, provided his team with some solace from their 2025 Southern Region Soccer League (SRSL) campaign by clinching the golden boot on the final day.
Hwange, who were fighting for promotion, finished the season on 75 points from 34 matches.
They ended seven points adrift of Bulawayo Chiefs, who were crowned champions last week with 82 points from the same number of games.
The 22-year-old midfielder surprised many by winning the golden boot from his midfield position, fending off competition from established strikers.
Moyo sealed the award with a brace in Hwange’s final match, a 4-0 victory over Victoria Falls Herentals at the Colliery Stadium.
The youngster even surprised himself.
“Honestly, I never thought that I would score as many as 10 goals from the position I was playing,” he said.
“I was a bit far from the goal, and my job was mainly to assist rather than to score.
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“I am still shocked, but at the same time, I am excited. Credit goes to my coaches and teammates, who were supportive throughout the season.
“Though we wanted to win promotion, it didn’t happen, but we were united as a team.”
Mlilo finished the season with 13 goals, one more than Nkayi United’s Tino Chitete and Bulawayo Chiefs’ Anesu Saiti.
Chitete and Saiti had battled for the accolade throughout the season, only to be overtaken by Mlilo on the last day.
Chitete, who won the golden boot last year, has been a constant performer in the SRSL, finishing among the top goalscorers for the past five seasons.
Mlilo joined Hwange in 2020 from Lukhosi Pirates as a teenager.
He has since become one of the key players for Chipangano, alongside prized asset Mongameli Tshuma, who also enjoyed a stellar season.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo Chiefs were confirmed as champions of the region, ending any debate about the “Saiti saga,” which had threatened to see the promotion race decided in the boardroom.
SRSL chairman Lloyd Munhanga confirmed last weekend that Chiefs were the legitimate SRSL champions.
Munhanga also indicated that the number of teams for the 2026 season might be increased to 20, a proposal that will be tabled at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).
With no SRSL team likely to be relegated from the Premier Soccer League, it is expected that fewer teams will be relegated from the region.
Ajax Hotspurs’ relegation status was confirmed after they failed to complete the season.
Khami United and Njube Spurs have been promoted from the Zifa Bulawayo Province Division Two league, while Zifa Matabeleland North will also promote two teams.
