In a sad development former Orlando Pirates forward Justin Shonga has died, the Football Association of Zambia has confirmed.
According to the Football Association of Zambia, Shonga died on Sunday evening at a hospital in Zambia after a short illness.
Shonga was last in the books of Najran FC of Saudi Arabia where he signed a short term contract to wrap up the 2023/24 season.
FAZ CONFIRMS JUSTIN SHONGA’S DEATH
“Former Zambia National Team midfielder Justin Shonga has died,” reads a statement posted the FAZ Facebook page.
“Zambia Police Deputy Spokesperson Dan Mwale has confirmed in an interview with the FAZ Media Team. Mwale said Shonga died at Sikanze Military Hospital after a short illness.”
He spent three years at Orlando Pirates after being signed from Zambian Super League side Nkwazi FC in 2017.
And he left the Buccaneers at the end of the 2019/20 season after falling out of favour, searching for green pastures.
Notably, he had been a vital cog in the team that had been assembled by Serbian coach Milutin Sredojević.
HOW SHONGA FARED IN THE PSL
For the Soweto giants, he made 70 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists. He became more of a nomad after leaving the Soweto giants.
After Pirates he joined Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandilawho in October 2020. TTM had just bought the PSL status from Bidvest Wits but Shonga’s stay only lasted three months as he packed his bags to join Cape Town City FC in January 2021.
At CT City, he lasted until October 2021 before signing for Egyptian giants Ismaily SC. In Egypt, he did not last long. He returned to the PSL in January 2022 and joined Sekhukhune United but they parted ways six months later.
And he was unattached for some time until he re-joined his boyhood club Nkwazi FC of Zambia in September 2022.
In addition, a new offer presented itself and he went to Georgia where joined FC Gagra in July 2023. He then switched to Saudi Arabia’s Najran FC in January this year on a short term deal.
Furthermore, he made his debut for the Zambia national team in June 2017 and he earned 15 caps, while score seven time for the 2012 AFCON winners.
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