The flamboyant and skillful midfielder-cum-defender Fortune Makaringe has revealed some of the Orlando Pirates players he grew up watching.
Makaringe, 30, made his name in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) when he joined KwaZulu-Natal-based outfit Maritzburg United. He joined them from the Moroka Swallows reserve team during the 2014/2015 season.
Fortune-teller
The dribbling wizard is fondly known as the Fortune-teller in the South African football fraternity. He became a household name in the PSL for his dazzling skills and confidence whenever he carried the ball.
The East Rand-born star joined Pirates in 2019, following an impressive previous season with Maritzburg, where he scored four goals and provided nine assists in 27 appearances.
Despite growing up idolising club legends Steve Lekoelea and Teko Modise, Makaringe says there is no one that plays like him and models his game around himself.
His own role model
“I grew up watching a lot of players but in terms of modelling my game around, I feel like there is no one because I am Fortune, and I have never seen anyone play like Fortune,” Makaringe said.
“In as much as I grew up loving Ronaldinho, Steve Lekoelea, Teko Modise, Kagiso Senamela – you name them, I don’t see myself playing like any of them. This is what I like about myself – the Fortune teller.
“That is where the key element was, and for one who knows me on a personal level, they will tell you that Fortune is as arrogant as he is on the field of play.”
New challenges
However, life has not been easy at the Bucs recently due to a high level of competition in his natural midfield position. With the signing of Patrick Maswanganyi, Karim Kimvuidi and the emergence of Relebohile Mofokeng, it’s becoming tough for him to break into the team.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has since found a solution for Makaringe and has been spotted playing in an unfamiliar position, at right-back. And the 30-year-old says he still finds joy playing for his boyhood club.
