Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo has opened up about his role at the Buccaneers after being forced into early retirement in 2021.
Read: 'How Have Chiefs Downs Not Signed Him?'
Three years ago, an unfortunate eye injury sustained during a spell at Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila forced Mhlongo, who was just 30 years old at the time, to hang up his gloves.
The ex-shot-stopper, who spent the majority of his professional career at Pirates, has been involved in various projects since, and has told Soccer Laduma that he is determined to help current and former players find purpose after football.
"We keep thriving, so I mean, for me, it has always been about trying to rebrand and reinvent myself outside of football and still try to speak about the opportunities that can be offered outside of football and I'll try to encourage the gents as well who are still currently playing and the ones that have retired to say 'look, you can do anything and everything in this world if you apply your mind in it', and those are the things that I do get, those are the things that I think of and say," he said.
"If it wasn't for my injury, I think I would have been, you know, in my peak as a goalkeeper. However, what you do after that is what matters the most. And that's what I'm trying to do right now, just try to make the best out of every project that I'm currently doing, be it broadcasting, be it through my foundation as well."
Mhlongo, now 33 years old, also discussed his role as part of Pirates' production team, admitting he has needed time to heal following his career-ending injury.
"I'm currently the assistant creative director for Orlando Pirates production. So, I'm heavily involved on the production side of things. On the field, there was one of those (things) where I needed to catch a breather and still heal properly," he continued.
"I don't want to be heavily involved on the field while I still have those critical attachments. It was a thing of... I just need to heal emotionally and then maybe we'll see where it takes us."
The ex-Bafana Bafana international is currently working as an ambassador for the Engen Knockout Challenge, a role he has enjoyed for the past three years.
Read: Coach Pitso Mosimane Praises Engen For Giving Back
This year, Mhlongo has travelled around South Africa to see the country's youth showcase their talent, with Surprise Ralani's son, Emile Witbooi, catching the former pro's eye following his exploits for Cape Town City's U18 side at Erica Park in June.
