Following a stint with Sekhukhune United, Justin Shonga packed his bags and headed for Lusaka in his home country of Zambia, where he reunited with Nkwazi FC, the club that launched his career. So fruitful was his homecoming that since joining in September last year, he scored 10 goals and bagged seven assists in 20 appearances. The striker has since secured a move to Georgian topflight outfit Gagra. Despite all the ups and downs his career has gone through, such as having to go three months without a salary, expecting a contract renewal but not getting one at his last Mzansi side, and starting his Orlando Pirates career with a bang only to go on to lose his goalscoring touch, the 26-year-old believes there is a lot he can still offer and that a return to South Africa isn't something he is completely averse to. And he ain't about to agree to the notion he's a journeyman anytime soon! Soccer Laduma's Masebe Qina caught up with Shonga…
Masebe Qina: Hi, Justin. So, after leaving South Africa last year, you went back home, where it all started…
Justin Shonga: It is always a nice feeling to be back home because home is home at the end of the day. Really, I don't have a lot to say on this one except to say that home is home, and it was good that I went home when the opportunity to do so presented itself. One other thing is that I went home to also work and not just to sit and do nothing.
MQ: Were there no offers in Mzansi when you moved to Nkwazi?
JS: I wouldn't say so because it was sudden. I had gone back home for holidays and then the move just happened. I didn't sign for long and it was worth it at the time because I had not been doing anything and I had Nkwazi, which is my former club, as an option, while I had been on holiday. I went there and kept busy by training with the team. They had been doing well and I didn't have a problem with joining them. I just needed to keep going because football is like that, and there was an agreement that I would be allowed by the club to move on when another opportunity presented itself. It was important that I kept myself busy by training with the team so that I could maintain fitness in the process. Having said that, I had the options to go to Asia, another one from Libya, and there was also an opportunity to go to Dubai. So, it was a matter of waiting for when the right offer came my way. I was signed as a guest player and by that, it means a player can go anytime when there is a need for that to happen.
MQ: How were you received at Nkwazi?
JS: In Zambia, things are done differently to how they are being done in South Africa and by that I mean even the training sessions are different. But that didn't mean I could take things lightly and stuff, I still had to show commitment and seriousness. I couldn't behave differently just because I was coming from South Africa and think that I could take things lightly, I still had to work twice as hard as everybody else. I had to lead by example. I had to push the other players and I told them from the word go that it was not going to be easy. I told them that for them to reach the level I am (at), they had to do this and that. By putting in the hard work, it makes the job easier even for the coaches. The coaches expected a lot from me and that's why I had to push the guys because they are young irrespective of what was expected of us.
MQ: We know that besides being a footballer, you are also a policeman. Was your return home also part of having to go back to your job which was put on hold while away?
JS: As a police officer, you are a public servant and therefore there was never anything that was put on hold. Even when I played in South Africa or anywhere else, I still had to come back home and report for work during the off-season or whenever I was around for whatever reason. Even when I play at home, I still go to the office so that I can be always visible. So, I'd go to the training field and train and then go to the office (police station) afterwards and report for work. When I wasn't around, I was required to call and speak to the boss about whatever that needed to be discussed.
MQ: Let's say you are driving to training and see someone breaking the law. What do you do?
JS: In a situation like that, I have to stop and deal with the person breaking the law. Police officers have a role to play as public servants and stopping to assist someone in such a situation would be one of the duties to fulfil as a police officer. Also, a police officer is always on duty, and there is no way I would ignore such a situation. I have to stop and tell the perpetrator that what he or she is doing is not right and if I find people to be in the wrong, I would have to take them to the police station.
MQ: Many thought that you did well enough at Sekhukhune United to earn a contract extension, but it didn't happen.
JS: I don't know why as I was also surprised with the decision. Things happened so quickly, and it was a decision that was made by the club. I had no say in how the decision was made and I just had to accept it and move on.
MQ: Disappointed?
JS: Obviously, because I was working so hard for the team. I was doing my best to do the right thing for the club, but it wasn't to be.
MQ: Overall, how was your time there?
JS: Everything was fine and they treated me very well. The environment was good and everybody treated everyone else well. All in all, there was nothing to cry about. Everything was done professionally and in a right way, and I received the news of their decision very well. It was all good.
MQ: Did that stint help to prepare you for the next journey?
JS: It did because I felt that I was doing well and that I was rediscovering my form. I could feel that I was getting back to my old self, but I understand that in football, it is all about business and that some decisions won't go your way. I did what I had to do for the club, and I had to move on. As a footballer, you can only do so much on the field and leave everything else to the people that are qualified to do so. I am someone who doesn't like to focus on a lot of things that I cannot control, and I like to focus on what I have control over. I am a soccer player and that's what I prefer to focus on – playing soccer and focusing on my job, and there is only one person that can decide for me that it is time to stop and that is God. It is by the grace of God that I have this talent and I am playing the game at professional level and that's why I am saying that when God decides that it is time for me to stop, then I can do so.
MQ: Why didn't you get another offer in the PSL?
JS: That thing (Sekhukhune exit) happened so quick, and nobody expected it. When it happened, other clubs already had their plans and they had players that they budgeted for to pay. It was just 'boom' and I had to decide. Having said that, there were a few clubs that did show interest, but I won't mention any names of the people who spoke to me. You must also remember that there is an issue of foreigners at clubs that needs to be considered before such decisions can be made. So, the whole thing happened so quick and I was gone.
MQ: With age still on your side, a return to Mzansi is possible, right?
JS: I would love to. But like I said, football is business and that decision would have to make business sense for all the parties involved. However, in answering your question, I would love to play there again. That's how football is, it is about opportunities.
MQ: After you joined Orlando Pirates in 2017, you showed potential and many thought you'd last longer than you did at the club. Were you satisfied with what you achieved when you left in 2020?
JS: (Sighs heavily and then pauses) I don't know, I really don't know, but I failed. I failed straight at the club. When it comes to Pirates, there are a lot of expectations that come with playing for the team and I had been with the club for three years when I eventually left. Don't get me wrong, I had a good stay with the club and they made me who I am and they prepared me better for the national team. They did everything for me and I regard the club as my home. If God makes it possible for me to go back home, I will obviously go back home.
MQ: We have seen Kermit Erasmus and Ndumiso Mabena go back to the club, with the latter having since left. You reckon that can happen for you as well?
JS: (Shonga speaks louder) It's football, man, and there are no guarantees. You never know when your luck will come. When people see Justin Shonga today, they see me as a former Pirates player. So, home is home, man – when it is time to return home, I will go back home.
MQ: Why have you changed clubs quite often in recent times?
JS: Which clubs have I changed?
MQ: From Pirates to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila and from there to Cape Town City, and then to Egypt, before Sekhukhune…
JS: (Interjects) But about Egypt, I think you know the story, the club had financial problems and players couldn't get paid, and I'm a breadwinner at home. How do you then continue to work when you are not getting paid for three months? It becomes almost impossible and that's why I had to come back. The situation didn't allow for me to continue at the club because at the end of the day, football isn't just about playing, it is work and I have to provide for my family. Regarding Tshakhuma, the club also didn't pay me. They only paid me for three months and I couldn't stay longer than I did.
MQ: Fair enough. Do you feel you've let yourself down at some point at any of your previous clubs?
JS: No! I don't because I always work very hard. I have never let myself down and I would never do that because I always work hard in training and on the field.
MQ: We hope we haven't seen the last of you in the DStv Premiership. Take care, brother.
JS: I will bounce back because I keep working hard. Thank you.
JUSTIN SHONGA FACT FILE
Date of birth: 5 November 1996
Place of birth: Chipata, Zambia
Nickname: Sugar and Spice
Position: Striker
Club: FC Graga (Georgia)
Jersey number: 12
Previous clubs: Nkwazi FC (Zambia), Orlando Pirates, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, Cape Town City, Ismaily (Egypt), Sekhukhune United
Honours: 2017/18 League runner-up, 2018/19 League runner-up, 2018 Telkom Knockout runner-up (all with Pirates)
