Former Moroka Swallows Super Star Secretly Seals New Deal in Mzansi

Former Moroka Swallows and Black Leopards striker Joseph Mhlongo has taken a new step in his football career after being appointed assistant coach at Army Rocket FC, a club competing in the North-West ABC Motsepe League.

The 36-year-old joins the technical team led by head coach Themba Masango as the club seeks to strengthen its coaching department and improve its performances in South African football’s third tier.

Army Rocket FC confirmed Mhlongo’s appointment, stating that he would assist the head coach with the team’s technical preparation and overall performance.

The appointment gives Mhlongo an opportunity to apply the knowledge and experience he gained during his playing career to help develop the team from the sidelines.

Mhlongo retired from professional football in 2025 after spending more than a decade playing for several clubs in South Africa.

During his career, he represented Moroka Swallows, Black Leopards, Polokwane City, Upington City, Ubuntu Cape Town and Leruma United.

His experience across different levels of South African football exposed him to the demands of competitive football, including tactical discipline, teamwork, consistency and the importance of maintaining high standards.

These qualities could prove useful in his new position as he works with Masango to improve Army Rocket FC’s performances.

Following his retirement, Mhlongo decided to remain involved in football by pursuing a career in coaching. His earlier experience with Tembisa Hollywood Thunder provided an opportunity to begin developing his technical knowledge and understanding of the game from a coaching perspective.

His latest appointment represents another step in that journey as he continues to establish himself in the technical side of football.

Working alongside Masango, Mhlongo will be expected to contribute to training sessions, assist with tactical preparation and help players understand their responsibilities on the pitch.

His experience as a former striker could be particularly beneficial to the club’s attacking players. Having competed at professional level, he may be able to share valuable lessons about movement, positioning, decision-making and converting scoring opportunities.

However, succeeding as a coach requires more than experience as a footballer. Effective communication, tactical understanding, leadership and the ability to manage different personalities are also essential.

Army Rocket FC will need consistency and a strong collective effort to achieve its objectives in the North-West ABC Motsepe League.

Mhlongo’s arrival adds another experienced figure to the club’s technical structure, although the impact of his appointment will ultimately depend on how effectively he works with the coaching staff and players.

For the former Moroka Swallows attacker, the challenge is to turn the lessons learned during his playing days into practical contributions that can help the team improve.

His move into coaching also highlights how former professional footballers can continue contributing to the sport after ending their playing careers.

As Mhlongo begins this new chapter, attention will be on how he adapts to his responsibilities and whether his experience can help Army Rocket FC become more competitive in the ABC Motsepe League.

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