Is Shonga over-rating himself?

IN modern football, it is every player’s dream to be the most highly paid in any competitive league. But attracting a hefty salary comes at a cost of high performance from the player. This week, the South African media revealed the colossal salary former Nkwazi Football Club striker Justin Shonga has demanded from Young Africans of Tanzania. The striker, who plays for Orlando Pirates has struggled in the South African Premier League this season. Shonga has so far featured in eight out of 23 league matches for Pirates and is yet to score. And yet the Zambian international is demanding a whopping US$15, 000 (about K270, 000) salary from the Tanzanian giants if he is to join them. The Chipata-born player’s demands will see him become the highest paid in the Tanzanian Premier League and he will be getting more money than coach Luc Eymael at the club. But is this realistic for a player who has made only three starts for the “Buccaneers” this season? The 23-year-old must try to move and find his feet by joining another club where he can earn more game time. Very few clubs would spend so much on a player who has not scored a goal all season as a centre forward. Shonga should put his feet down and put his career progression ahead of big monies. It is a fact that if he stays at Pirates he will continue warming the bench hence, he must push for a move as quickly as possible. The fight for places at Pirates has been stiff with Shonga clearly being relegated by Malawian striker Gabadinho Mhango who is the current league’s top scorer with 14 goals so far. Demanding for a huge salary won’t help Shonga, let him push for a move to a club where he can have more game time. Shonga is a talented striker and this could be a turning point for the Chipolopolo star. He needs to move to a team where he is guaranteed game time. Over-rating himself won’t do him any good.