Justin Shonga, speaking with some confidence following his double in Orlando Pirates' 3-0 win over Horoya AC in Group B of their CAF Champions League clash in Soweto on Friday night, credited the man tasked with improving his tally this season.
Stephane Adam, a 49-year-old retired footballer who was hired by the Buccaneers at the start of the season as finishing coach, was expected to produce miracles even before he'd settled into his new role.
Much criticism came his way when Shonga, Zambian compatriot Justin Mulenga and Thamsanqa Gabuza were shooting blanks. Not just that, the Buccaneers endured a tough opening month of the campaign and Adam was the one responsible – according to the fans and, to some degree, the press.
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After a return of nine goals in four games since the beginning of 2019, Shonga scoring three of those, it appears there is the belief that Adam knows exactly what he's doing – it was just taking a bit of time.
"Since the arrival of the finishing coach, Stephane Adam, we've improved a lot from last season. He's played football before and he gives us the right training at the right time," Shonga told the media.
"Before he gives a training session I think he analyses the defenders we will be playing against. He takes us to the pitch and gives us hints on the movements and everything we need to do in order to score goals. I think it's paying off for us."
Shonga has some way to go in improving his current scoring ratio, as the Zambian has only managed seven goals from 25 matches in all competitions.
