Reflecting on his late friend Justin Shonga, AmaZulu FC striker Augustine Mulenga admits he becomes emotional and breaks down whenever he sees photos of them together.
Both from Zambia, Mulenga joined Shonga in South Africa to play for Orlando Pirates in 2018, with Shonga having signed with the Buccaneers a year earlier.
Mulenga reveals that Shonga made his stay at Pirates easier because they had been friends since their days playing in Zambia.
“Shonga, man, even now, I break down when I see our pictures on my phone. I hold onto them because they remind me of the character he was to me,” Mulenga told FARPost.
“He was younger than me, but you wouldn’t notice it because of the bond we shared. We became friends in 2011 in Zambia. It so happened that he was the first to come to the Betway Premiership. At Pirates, I settled in well because he was there. To me, he was a guiding star and my source of inspiration during our time at the club.”
The Usuthu forward adds that it is tough to accept that his friend is no longer alive.
“That relationship continued at the national team level. We became so close that even after almost a year, I still struggle to come to terms with the reality of his passing,” he continued.
“Even when we parted ways, he remained a pillar, someone who was always there for me. I was hurt. I’m still hurt. But it’s beyond anyone’s control.”
Shonga passed away last year at the age of 27, reportedly due to an illness.