Former Zambia national team striker Justin Shonga – who died at the age of 27 following a short illness in Lusaka on Sunday – was a man whose imprint on our sport will never been erased.
Despite having had a short international career, the Chipata-born attacker etched his name in Chipolopolo’s history as one of the nation’s prolific goal poachers.
The regional COSAFA Cup tournament became Shonga’s favourite competition on the international scene and still currently reigns as Zambia’s top goal scorer at the Southern African regional tourney with six goals.
He featured at only two editions of the COSAFA Cup tournament in 2017 and 2021, helping the Chipolopolo to runner-up finishes at both editions in South Africa.
Born on 5th November 1996, Shonga was scouted by the Zambia Police-sponsored Nkwazi outfit and first burst onto the international scene in 2017 as he scored 6 goals in 12 appearances for the Chipolopolo, including three goals at that year’s COSAFA Cup tournament in South Africa.
His impressive performances in national colours as well as Nkwazi caught the attention of South African giants Orlando Pirates where he played 56 games and scored 10 times during his three year stint at the club.
In 2021, Shonga surpassed legendary striker Collins Mbesuma’s goal tally at the COSAFA Cup as he scored three goals at the tournament held that year to reach six goals, one more than the latter.
With 16 goals in 33 international appearances, Shonga ranks amongst Zambia’s most prolific goal scorers of all-time with a goal ratio of 0.49 goal per game.
Only the great Godfrey ‘Ucar’ has better goal ratio for the national team than Shonga with 79 goals in 111 appearances that translates into a ratio of 0.71 goals per game.
At club level, Shonga’s football career took him to four countries including South Africa where he played for Orlando Pirates, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, Cape Town City and Sekhukhune United.
He also featured for Ismaily SC in Egypt, FC Gagra in Georgia while his last club was Saudi Arabia’s Najran SC whom he barely joined in February, 2024.
Shonga, an officer in the Police Service, died on Sunday, 30 June 2024 at Lusaka’s Sikanze Police Hospital where he had been receiving treatment after a short illness.
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is saddened by the death of former Chipolopolo striker Justin Shonga.
FAZ president Andrew Kamanga says Shonga’s death is more devastating given that he was still young.
“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,” says Kamanga.
“He was such 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 says the younger players could learn from Shonga’s commitment to perfecting his art.
“The life of Shonga is a true testimony that it does not matter how long or short you live to leave an impression in life. Go well Justin and we will always celebrate and remember you,” Kamanga says.
Shonga was an important cog of the Chipolopolo under the reigns of Wedson Nyirenda, Sven Vandenbroeck, Aggrey Chiyangi and Milutin Sredojevic (Micho).
