Orlando Pirates striker Justin Shonga has no intention of leaving the Buccaneers and is determined to fight for his place in the first team.

This season, the Zambia international has struggled for game time since the departure of coach Milutin Sredojevic and has only managed to feature 11 times for the Buccaneers before all football was suspended due to Covid-19.

The 23-year-old has recently been linked with a move away from Pirates and Portuguese side CS Maritimo are reportedly interested in his services as a marksman.

However, Shonga has pledged his loyalty to the club and insists he is delighted to be at the Buccaneers.

‘I don’t have those plans at the moment. I am enjoying too much and I am still a Pirates player. I am not leaving,’ Shonga said in a chat with Pirates fans on the club’s app.

‘I am happy at Pirates and it’s just a matter of time before I start playing again.’

Speaking about his relationship with head coach Josef Zinnbauer, Songa said: ‘The relationship with the new coach is good and I am happy to work with him.

‘I am really working hard to gain my last season’s form back,’ he added.

‘Life is good. He [Zinnbauer] is a good coach, just like Micho, and we are enjoying as we used to.

‘It’s a nice feeling that we will be back to the field and do what we love.’