Despite his mother’s wish for him to concentrate on his education at school, a young Phillip Mango always saw a future in football.
Kicking the ball around in his local village for the first time, Mango quickly fell in love with the beautiful game that would lead him to captain his beloved Solomon Islands on the international stage and in the OFC Pro League.
“My mother told me to focus on my education,” recalls Mango. “But I decided to play football, I could see that it had a pathway for me.”
It was in the villages of his home Malaita Province where Mango grew up playing football, building friendships with other children his age.
“I loved playing football with friends and family. I played in the villages. It really helped me have fun with the other kids.”
The sport was all around him in the football-crazy Solomon Islands and finding a ball to play with was never difficult.
His daily routine revolved around the game, playing with friends during school, and continuing the ‘kick-around’ outside the classroom.
“The Solomon Islands is a football country. Football is everywhere. Even when we went to school in the province, football was what entertained us.”
“With our friends and families in the Solomon Islands, we talk about football and we play football.”
Mango took the first big step in his football career in 2010, signing for Honiara-based club Marist FC in the Solomon Islands S-League.
16 years later, the 30-year-old has now completed his first season as a professional player, captaining his nation’s first professional football club – Solomon Kings FC – in the inaugural season of the OFC Pro League.
“I’m honored to be part of this professional environment,” he says. “It’s a dream come true for me. Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming a professional player.”
Mango captained and started in 14 of the Kings 17 fixtures this season – only missing three games because of a suspension he picked up in Round 3.
The goalkeeper has impressed between-the-sticks this season, but despite helping produce some standout results, Solomon Kings missed out on both a Leaders Group and a semi-final playoff spot by just a point.
As well as his club exploits, Mango is also the Solomon Islands highest-capped international goalkeeper of all time, with 44 appearances.
He made his debut at the OFC Men’s Nations Cup in Papua New Guinea in 2016 and has firmly cemented himself as his country’s number one shot-stopper, also recently featuring for the Solomon Islands at their FIFA Series campaign in Indonesia.
“It’s also a great honor to be part of the Solomon Islands national team. International competitions provide pathways for players to show their talent.”
Having had his life shaped by the sport, it is a testament to the character of Mango that he is also giving back to football as a Goalkeeping Development Officer in the Solomon Islands, helping to grow the next generation of goalkeepers in his country.
The young boy who became infatuated with the game back home in Malaita Province remains very evident within Mango’s demeanor, and as he reflects on the life that football has given him, he shows his gratitude.
“Football means a lot to me. When times are hard or when I struggle, football encourages me to keep going and stay motivated.”
World Football Giving Day
This story has been published as part of OFC’s World Football Giving Day campaign – showcasing the stories of OFC Pro League players who’s lives have been positively impacted by football.
The Oceania Football Confederation is joining World Football Giving Day on May 26, a global movement bringing together the football community around solidarity, generosity, and giving back.
Created by Common Goal, World Football Giving Day is a shared global moment where players, clubs, organisations, fans, brands and communities come together under the message that “Football Shows Its Heart.”
To support, head to www.worldfootballgivingday.org and donate to any of the organisations in any of the 90+ countries. You can also post using the WFGD hashtag #WeAreIn or use the heart gesture as a symbol of solidarity and connection.