‘Simba are not chasing Shonga’
The club has rubbished reports they are trying to lure the striker away from Pirates
TANZANIAN champions Simba Soccer Club have dismissed their reported interest in the services of Justin Shonga.
Senzo Mbatha, chief executive of the Tanzanian giants, is a former Pirates administrator and his current club has been linked with the services of the Buccaneers forward, but he dismissed any chance of the club capturing the signature of the Zambian.
Shonga has struggled to command a regular starting berth under the tutelage of German coach Josef Zinnbauer at the Sea Robbers this season.
In an interview with the
South African Football Journalists Association (Safja) yesterday, Mbatha set the record straight about Shonga.
“The stories making the rounds that Simba is pursuing Shonga are incorrect,” said Mbatha from Tanzania.
“It is certain individuals in certain corners of the country here in Tanzania and in South Africa that have pushed this narrative that there’s an interest from Simba for (Shonga).
“There’s currently no interest to acquire the services of (Shonga).”
Shonga arrived in South Africa to much fanfare but he is yet to fulfil his full potential.
“He is a very good player for Zambia. I think he can add value to my club, but we have a number of players that are playing in his position. If I were to lose one of those players, maybe I’ll consider Shonga, but for now there’s no interest from Simba,” Mbatha explained.
Shonga is on a high wage package at the Buccaneers which clearly indicates that he won’t come cheap for any club that wants to sign him.
“Someone asked me about Shonga. If you look at his package, you need to be realistic as well and say, ‘can we afford this?’” Mbatha continued.
“We don’t want to create an artificial economy that has started to creep into our league back home in South Africa.
“People have created an artificial economy.
“We don’t want to compete with someone who is paying R100 000
(for example) and your revenue is sitting at R1-million … That’s where the problem starts.
“We shouldn’t be excited and think that we’ve arrived while we’ve not. Slowly but surely we will get there,” Mbatha stated.
During his time in South
Africa, Mbatha also worked as an administrator at Platinum Stars, where he won two cup titles.
“All of us are hit hard but does that mean we can’t go into the market? No. Last week we had a meeting where we discussed the positions that we need to reinforce.
“Once that is finished, the report will go back to the chairman for his approval so that we can recruit certain players in certain positions.
“That process can’t stop, however. It will make it difficult for you to go for the players that you like.”