Ex-Pirates striker Justin Shonga makes switch to Saudi Arabia
Former Orlando Pirates striker Justin Shonga has found a new team in Saudi Arabia after he was unveiled as a Najran FC player on Friday.
Shonga has been without a team since January 2024 after he parted ways with Georgian side FC Gagra, where he spent six months with the club.
He left the Georgian topflight side after making 16 appearances and had found the back of the net two times.
The Zambian international joins the Middle East club on a short-term deal till the end of the season. If he manages to impress the management on the field of play [scoring goals], the club is open to extending his deal for a further year.
In SA, he also had stints at Sekhukhune United, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and Cape Town City FC.
NAJRAN FC COMPLETES THE SIGNING OF JUSTIN SHONGA
“The management of Najran Club, headed by Mr Hadi Al-Kulaib, has completed the procedures for contracting with Zambian striker Justin Shonga, with a contract extending until the end of the current season, with the option of extending for another additional season,” reads the club’s statement.
Shonga’s new team plays in the Saudi Arabia third-tier league. In the 2023/24 campaign, the club has been struggling for form and consistency to grind the positive results.
With less than 10 matches left to wrap-up the 2023/24 campaign, Najran find themselves in the bottom half of the log standings.
They occupy the ninth position after accumulating 27 points from 21 matches. They’ve registered seven victories and six draws and suffered eight defeats in the process.
The 27-year-old attacker is likely to make his club debut on Friday, 9 February, in the team’s next assignment. Najran will be on the road to face Al-Nojoom at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium.
RELATED STORY: PSL labelled ‘dream destination’ by former Pirates star Justin Shonga