When professional football players in South Africa hang up their boots, their post-playing journeys generally split into two very different realities: successful transitions back into the football ecosystem or business or severe financial and psychological struggles.

Many iconic South African players successfully leverage their reputation to transition into roles that keep them close to the game or corporate world.

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It was no different for Ivory Park-raised former Moroka Swallows and Black Leopards striker Joseph Mhlongo, who has taken another step in his football journey after being appointed assistant coach of North West ABC Motsepe League side Army Rockets.

The 36-year-old, who hails from Ivory Park, will serve under head coach Themba Masango as the club seeks promotion.

Army Rockets announced the appointments in a statement on October 20, welcoming both coaches to the club and wishing them success in their new roles: “Coach Mhlongo joins the technical team with experience at Tembisa Hollywood Thunder and Mabopane JM. He will work alongside the head coach to strengthen the team’s technical preparation and performance,” said the club.

For Mhlongo, the appointment presents an opportunity to continue pursuing his ambitions in football after officially retiring as a professional player in 2025. “I received a call about the opportunity, and when I was told who I might work with, I became interested,” he said.

“It’s part of the journey I have to take as a coach. For me, it’s another chance to try and win promotion with the team, and I am looking forward to it.”

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Mhlongo said his responsibility would be to support Masango’s vision and help the team achieve its objectives. “My role is to support the ideas of the coach and how he wants things to be done so we can achieve the mandate at hand. The mandate of the team is clear, and that is to win promotion.”

His transition into coaching follows a professional playing career that saw him represent several clubs, including Roses United, FC Cape Town, Free State Stars, Black Leopards, Moroka Swallows, Polokwane City, Upington City and Leruma United.

His last playing stint was with Leruma United in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. After retiring, Mhlongo moved into coaching, taking charge of Gauteng ABC Motsepe League side Tembisa Hollywood Thunder before coaching Mabopane JM.

Reflecting on his journey, Mhlongo said his football roots were firmly planted in Ivory Park, where his passion for the game developed through school and street football.

“Football for me started in the street. I started playing for my school, Ivory Park Primary School, back when school football was played regularly. It grew from that to one day becoming a professional footballer.”

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