Orlando Pirates slammed over Shonga and Mulenga treatment

Former Orlando Pirates coach Milutin’ Micho’ Sredojevic has slammed the club for their treatment of Zambian duo Justin Shonga and Augustine Mulenga.

Shonga remains suspended by the club following a breach of health protocols, this despite the return to the group of fellow rule-breaker Thembinkosi Lorch who came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Baroka FC.

Orlando Pirates mistreating Zambians says Micho

Micho left Pirates just after the start of the 2019/20 campaign under less than ideal circumstances, taking up a short-lived position with Zamalek and leaving behind accusations of sexual assault.

The coach has now been appointed as Zambian boss and in this capacity has criticised his former club’s handling of Chipolopolo stars Shonga and Mulenga.

Micho said both players had a responsibility to own their ostracisation from the Buccaneers core group but insisted that the club should treat foreign players better than they have.

The man who guided Orlando Pirates to successive second-place finishes believes the club are wasting the talents of two players who created so much in front of goal during the Micho era.

“During my two years at Orlando Pirates, Shonga and [Augustine] Mulenga were pillars of the team as we fought for the league (title),” Micho said at a press conference in Zambia on Thursday.

“The moment I left, everything turned upside down, and I can assure that you can blame the players 99%, but there is still 1% of the aspect on how the team is set-up and unbelievable injustice towards players like Shonga and Mulenga.”

The cruel life of a foreigner in the PSL

Micho said the Lorch and Shonga suspensions illustrated the way in which foreign players are treated differently at Orlando Pirates and in South Africa on the whole.

“Both of the players were suspended, but the club only retained Lorch to a competitive team, Shonga is still out.

“This is a cruel life of a foreigner in a country. With the highest degree of respect, I want to see South Africa in the best possible way, but it’s hard for professionals as they need to be more times better in order to succeed.”

Shonga has made just eight appearances in the PSL this season and is yet to register a goal or an assist.

Mulenga has fallen down the pecking order due to the form of Gabadinho Mhango, and the change of customary shape has left the Zambian attacker with limited opportunities to impress. He has featured in 12 league matches, scoring once and laying on three assists.