Exiled Lions coach looks to rebuild career after court upholds appeal

Joey Mongalo will look to rebuild his life and coaching career, after being cleared on a charge of indecent assault.

Mongalo finally won his appeal in a New South Wales District Court last Friday – a journey to clear his name that lasted 20 months.

He was charged, and convicted, for indecently assaulting a woman at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Coogee (Sydney) on 23 April 2018 – during the Lions’ Super Rugby tour.

He maintained his innocence throughout and appealed the ruling of Downing Centre Local Court.

The woman was an employee of the Sydney hotel where the Lions stayed.

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Last Friday, the New South Wales District Court set aside Mongalo’s earlier conviction.

Mongalo, whose contract with the Lions was not renewed when it expired in October this year, told Rugby 365 that he is now looking for new avenues to explore.

“Now that my name is cleared and I have a decent CV, I am hoping something will come up,” he told this website.

Mongalo has also registered for a masters degree at the University of Pretoria next year.

He will continue to assist the Witwatersrand University as a defence coach – the position he held with the Lions at the time of the incident.

“It has been a tough 20 months,” Mongalo told Rugby 365, adding: “I have grown to become resilient during this period [the trial].

“This ‘season’ has put a lot of things into perspective and helped me discovered genuine friendships.”

Johannes Nthoro Mongalo was involved in five finals during his nine-year stint at the Lions – including winning three national titles with the Lions Under-19 team.

- Jan de Koning, Rugby365

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