Where are they now? Mgcini Mhlophe

Names like Patrick Daka, Sageby Sandaka, Kevin Mushangazhike, Ronald Sibanda and Muzondiwa Mugadza are some key examples.

Yet “Usuthu” did bring to the fore some of the good players that wore their gold and black jersey – striker Mgcini Mhlophe being one of those. Mhlophe was 19 years old when he broke into the Amazulu first team in 2004, ending the season as the club’s second best striker after Gift Zvavanhu. “I was introduced to professional football by great coaches like Cosmas Zulu, Felix Matsika and Benjamin Moyo,” said Mhlophe, a speed merchant in his heyday.

“I enjoyed every moment I had at the great Usuthu, the most professionally run club in the country at that time. It was also a cherry on top for me to be voted the club’s Most Promising Player in my debut season.”

Unlike some of the so-called big clubs that struggle to stay afloat financially, Mhlophe said the then Bulawayo-based Usuthu took great care of its players, provided excellent training facilities and good working conditions.

“That made us appreciate the great competition for a starting slot in the team, while also pushing us to work hard to reward management. It was a dream come true for me to break into that star-studded team,” said the former national Under-20 and Under-23 striker.

When the side was relegated in 2005, Mhlophe and star midfielder, Farai “Zidane” Mujokoro, were quickly snatched by fellow Bulawayo giants, Highlanders for the 2006 season.

“Playing for a great club like Bosso is always the dream for any player in the country and when then coaches Methembe and Madinda Ndlovu requested me to join them, I had no second thoughts,” said the former player.

“There were already a number of experienced players at the club when I arrived and one had to be in top form every day to be able to make it to the first team. It was a good challenge for me to be able to compete with the likes of chief strikers Ralph Matema, Obadiah Tarumbwa, Zenzo Moyo and Thabani Moyo and playing alongside skipper Tapuwa Kapini, Anzilom Ndlovu, Zephania Ngodzo, Gilbert Banda, Danisa Phiri, Master Masiku, Mkhuphali Masuku, Honour Gombami, Johannes Ngodzo and Vusa Nyoni in that well-oiled machine.”

Many would remember Mhlophe for his man-of-the-match showing in a league match away to Mwana Africa, at Rufaro Stadium in 2006, in which Bosso dominated the home team to end 2-1 victors. “That Mwana Africa game was my debut for Highlanders and I scored the first goal that set us up for that victory, with Matema netting the winning goal.

I was voted man of the match. That was the beginning of a good career that made me a favourite with many fans.” Mhlophe won the championship with Methembe Ndlovu-coached side that went on a 10-match winning streak in its first league games.

“We were untouchable and when we were befittingly crowned champions at the end of the season, I felt great and worthy of it because I had also personally done well for that great club. So great was it when we beat old foes Dynamos home and away that season,” he said.

Mhlophe did not stay beyond his debut season with Bosso though, moving to Hwange in 2007. “I wanted regular game time that the stiff competition at the club could not guarantee me, as I was made to come off the bench for most of the time, so when Hwange showed interest, I thought it was time to move on because I had played my part at Bosso.”

Mhlophe left the coalminers at the end of his first season there, as he sought greener pastures in South Africa. “I fortunately got a scholarship with the Wits University, where I am studying for a Degree in Information Technology, which I will be completing at the end of this year. I am very happy to have managed to have something to do after my football career. I also do work for some private companies on a part-time basis.”