Village boy and soccer player’s graduation excites village community and soccer club

Soccer ace Marvellous Shilenge bags IT diploma from TUT

The Village Voice

Mpheni Defenders’ crack player Marvellous Shilenge’s graduation this week has received a positive reaction from both his team and the village of Lombard in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality in Limpopo where he comes from.

Shilenge, who features as a winger and midfield cum striker for the Motsepe Championship side graduated with a diploma in IT Software in the ceremony held at the university’s campus in Soshanguve.
He was accompanied by his father Dan Shilenge, mother Lucia and sister Alicia.
“I first registered in 2017 and completed in 2022. But I failed to get internship and that is the reason I graduated now on April 7,” he said.
He said it was not an easy task juggling the roles as a soccer player and as a student.
“When I started I was playing for Giyani Happy Boys and had to come home for games from Tshwane,” he said.

A crack soccer player, Marvy, as he is called, featured in games against top teams such as Chippa United and Mamelodi Sundowns in two editions of the Nedbank Cup, the games his team gave the high fancied sides a fright before bowing out.

But he says his best game was in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 against Clairwood played at Thohoyandou Stadium.
“In the game, a score a goal and made an assist. We beat them 3-0 to reach the Last 16 and lost in the last 16 to Chippa United,” he said.
His academic success trended on social media with many people expressing their happiness and support.
The statement from Mpheni Defenders said:” Marvy, we are so proud of everything you have achieved. This is just the beginning, keep behaving yourself, stay true to your dreams and never stop growing. You have made us proud as Mpheni defenders family today and always.”

Mr Solly Zava, a committee member of Giant Reefs Football Club which he featured for before and a local resident of Lombard said: “We are delighted with his achievement a testament of his discipline on the pitch and off the pitch. This must rub off to other youngsters that they must be achievers in whatever they do. We wish him the best in any future endeavour he may embark upon.”
Both his parents expressed happiness with the achievement of their well brought up son.