Chippa United's seasoned striker Katlego "Mahoota" Mashego is already planning for life beyond his decorated football career.

The 35-year-old is studying towards a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree part-time, through the University of South Africa (Unisa).

Though still passionate about football, Mashego said his studies were his priority now, especially with his contract with the Chilli Boys expiring at the end of the season.

"My priority is to finish my studies because I do not know what will happen after I have stopped playing,'' he said.

"My contract with Chippa will come to an end when this season finishes, so studying gives me more options as to what I will do next. I will not retire but I will stop playing. Retiring is when you stop working and go on pension, like my father.''

Mashego comes from a family of academics, which also motivated him to further his studies. He is in his second year of his degree programme.

"My mother is a teacher, my retired father was working as an inspector at the Department of Education and all my brothers have tertiary qualifications. One is an accountant and the other two are engineers,'' said Mashego, the second-born of four children.

The Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga-born striker has played for eight different local clubs, including Premiership giants SuperSport United, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Winning his maiden Premiership title with SuperSport in 2008 remains Mashego's biggest career highlight, despite adding three more at Pirates and Sundowns.

"My first trophy as a professional footballer at SuperSport remains my proudest moment in my career. I have played for many teams and it has been a long journey," said the 2012/13 season's top scorer with 13 goals while he was still at Moroka Swallows.

He also boasts CAF Champions League and Telkom Knockout medals while with Sundowns.