Former Chipolopolo forward Justin Shonga has died at the age of 27 after a short illness in Lusaka.

His former club, Nkwazi FC, and the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ), both confirmed the devastating news on Sunday evening.

“It is with deep sorrow that Nkwazi FC confirms the passing of our former player, Justine Shonga, after a short illness. This tragic news was confirmed by a family member through Zambia Police Deputy Spokesperson, Mr. Danny Mwale, that Shonga died at 19:30hrs, at Skanze Police Hospital,” Nkwazi FC announced.

Shonga began his professional football career at Nkwazi FC, then in 2017, following a fantastic season with the Police sponsored side, he joined South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, where he quickly became a household name.

The attacker spent one season with the Soweto-based club, playing 77 games and scoring 16 goals and 16 assists.

He later moved to Tshakhuma, then to Cape Town City, before signing with Egyptian League club Ismaily and finally Sekhukhune United in three years.

Shonga’s last dance at Nkwazi

Shonga returned to his boyhood club, Nkwazi, in 2023. He returned to the Zambian Super League and instantly began blazing for the Police side, scoring 10 goals and six assists to help them avoid relegation before moving to Georgian football team FC Gagra, where he stayed only a season.

He was apparently signed by Najran SC, a Saudi Arabian professional football team that plays in the Saudi Second Division, at the time of his death.

The tricky forward earned 33 international caps for Zambia and scored 16 goals.

In his last interview with BolaNews on  May 11, 2023, Shongo said he wanted to make a return to the Zambian National Team.

“I still want to play for the national team,am very young and I can give my best if called upon,” he said. “That’s what I have been working on everyday at training and in matches to get a national team call up again.“