LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The football fraternity is in mourning once again following the sudden death of former Zambian national team and Orlando Pirates forward Justin Shonga (27).
Shonga died on Sunday evening at Sikanze Hospital in Zambia after a short illness.
Tributes have poured in from Shonga’s former clubs, players as well as the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) President Andrew Kamanga.
Expressing his deepest condolences, in a statement, said Kamanga:
“On behalf of my executive committee and the entire football family, I wish to convey my heartfelt sympathies to the Shonga family over the death of Justin.
“Everyone in Zambian football knows what Shonga did for the game and we will celebrate his contribution as we mourn him,” Kamanga wrote.
“He was an important member of the Chipolopolo from 2018-2021 where he scored many important goals several times. He was a great ambassador of our game for the many clubs he played for outside the country,” he added.
Shonga’s career primarily flourished in South Africa, where he played for several clubs namely; Pirates, Cape Town City, Sekhukhune United and TTM.
Currently, he was playing for Najran SC in Saudi Arabia’s second division.
It was at Pirates that Shonga truly rose to prominence following his impressive performances for the Buccaneers.
During his tenure with Pirates, Shonga made a significant mark, racking up 84 DStv Premiership appearances and contributing 13 goals.
27?
R.I.P Justin
Mhsrip