CHIPOLOPOLO midfielder Justin Shonga has passed away after a short illness.

Zambia Police Deputy Spokesperson Dan Mwale confirmed his death to the FAZ media team on Sunday evening.

Mwale said Shonga died at Sikanze Police Hospital after a short illness.

Shonga was plying his trade in Saudi Arabia, with Najran, a second division team.

The midfielder, who died at 27, started his professional career with Nkwazi in 2016 before going on to don the colours of Orlando Pirates, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, Cape Town City, Ismaily SC, Sekhukhume United, Gagra and Najran.

Shonga took in a second stint at Nkwazi in 2023 at leaving South African side Sekhukhume, he left Nkwazi for Eastern Europe where he featured for Georgian side Gagra.