Former Orlando Pirates striker Justin Shonga has been offered a contract worth around R10 million as he continues his search for a new club. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
AmaZulu transfer talk: Benni McCarthy confirms why move for ex-Orlando Pirates star flopped
AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy has confirmed the reason the club did not sign Zambia forward Justin Shonga was due to concerns regarding his fitness.
Former Orlando Pirates striker Justin Shonga has been offered a contract worth around R10 million as he continues his search for a new club. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix
AmaZulu coach Benni McCarthy has confirmed the reason the club did not sign Zambia forward Justin Shonga was due to concerns regarding his fitness.
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Shonga, 24 had been training with Usuthu after leaving Cape Town City at the end of last season.
Shonga played 13 matches for the Citizens as well as 77 for Orlando Pirates and seven for Marumo Gallants FC (previously TTM).
He also has 15 caps and seven goals for Zambia.
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In an interview with SAFJA, McCarthy shed more light on why Shonga won’t be plying his trade at the KwaZulu-Natal side this season.
“I need a proven, fit and ready-made striker,” McCarthy said.
“I think Shonga ticks those boxes but I’m afraid I can’t have two, three months to work and wait for the player to get going and to get himself back [up to speed] because he hasn’t played competitive football for a while.
“You can see the qualities, the abilities are there but I need a player who, if I sign you, you come straight into the team and then you take the team to the level we want to go and bring goals. That was the main reason why the club didn’t settle for Shonga.
“We didn’t want to work for three months getting the player fit and ready and then he’s already missed seven, eight, nine games of the season because he’s working on fitness levels and getting himself match ready to be in a position to score goals and help the team out.”
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AmaZulu have had a rough start to their 2021/22 season after crashing out of the MTN8 in the quarter-final stage after a 2-1 defeat to Cape Town City.
They then lost 1-0 to defending DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening match to this season and followed that up with a goalless draw against Swallows FC.
AmaZulu, who finished last season’s as league runners-up, will next be in action in their CAF Champions League first leg preliminary round tie against Malawi’s Nyasa Big Bullets FC on Friday, 10 September.
Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00.
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