Shonga wants Pirates fans on his side

Orlando Pirates travel to the Seychelles for a meeting with Light-Stars FC, as they look to advance to the next round of the Caf Champions League qualifiers tomorrow night.

The Buccaneers won the first leg 5-1 at Orlando Stadium last week and should have no problem progressing.

Justin Shonga (right), who came on in the second half and scored for the Soweto giants in the first leg will be one of the key players for Bucs going into this match as he looks to win back the love of the supporters.

The Zambian striker has been misfiring in front of goal, but tends to make important assists. Missing plenty of opportunities has seen the club’s fans turn on him, but he says the responsibility of scoring goals is for the whole team.

“I think the responsibility of scoring is a shared thing, because if I’m not in the right position, I have to pass to Thembinkosi Lorch or to Augustine Mulenga,” Shonga said.

“If I can’t score then I have to assist, but as a striker I’m expected by the fans to score in every game,” he explained.

The striker said the supporters wouldn’t understand if he doesn’t get to score sometimes, but the technical team under- stands his role in the team.

“The coaches always tell me that, ‘If you don’t score, we understand. At least you assisted, or you played better, you do a lot of stuff correctly – you make movements according to how we want you to play now’,” he continued.

Pirates coach Micho Sredojevic started the game with fringe players in the first leg, while the likes of Shonga and Lorch came on in the second half.

It is likely the Bucs coach will keep his regulars on the bench or in the stands again, especially since they have the Telkom Knockout final against Baroka FC in Port Elizabeth this Saturday.