To see Fortune Makaringe, embraced by his home supporters in the community of Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg, was a marvel to see. The pride felt from the community at one of their own turning out for Orlando Pirates was tangible. The 31-year-old shares a deep affinity with his hometown and mingles with the locals, reciprocating the love he receives whenever he returns home. Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver caught up with the tricky player where amongst other things, he discussed his change of position, his and Pirates' ability to adapt to various situations and his progress in grasping coach Jose Riveiro's plans this season.
Delmain Faver: Fortune, you received so much love and affection from the community of Vosloorus, a place where you grew up in. What does it mean to you to get the support from your kasi and knowing that you are celebrated in your backyard?
Fortune Makaringe: I have to give thanks and show gratitude for the love that I've received. As they say, it takes a community to raise a child and I'm one of the few products that come from the township of Vosloorus. So, for me to be back in 1475, it means a lot because I look back and realise how much they've sacrificed for me to be an Orlando Pirates footballer. It's all love!
DF: In our last conversation, you hadn't played a game this season and you later popped up in an unfamiliar right back position. How was that adjustment for you?
FM: Well, it's always about the will to learn and obviously, when you're learning, there comes a time when you need to also implement or showcase what you've been learning all along. So, for me to be given that opportunity to showcase my talent, it really meant a lot and we keep going. We keep moving from where we were and show progress in whatever that we're doing.
DF: You are one of the players known for silky skills than defensive prowess. How were you able to flip the switch and go into defensive mode when your entire career was focused on attacking?
FM: It's all credit to the team, the whole team as a whole, my teammates, the technical staff and everyone that was responsible in helping me to adapt much easier. So, for me it was just playing the game, implementing what I know from the game and playing the game as it was unfolding. So, for me it's all about that.
DF: How do you rate your defensive side of the game, because usually you're the one making defenders sweat, but now the roles are reversed?
FM: Ha ha ha I'll be honest with you, it's not that easy, especially when you know that you're one of the tricky players because you always expect the opponent to be as tricky as you are. So, it's never easy because you even anticipate things that are not even there. So yeah, it's all about adjusting and trying to adapt as much as possible.
DF: The modern game requires players to be versatile. How important would you say it is for a player to be able to play in multiple positions on the field?
FM: I would have to give credit to my peers because most of them are versatile, so I always learn from wherever they are placed to play. They go in and do their job as expected. So, for me it's more about learning from my peers and trying to showcase what I've learned and doing my best. I'm still learning.
DF: At face value, Pirates has been playing some of the best football in the DStv Premiership this season with clear indications of a well-coached side. Would you say that after two seasons the players have fully grasped what it is that coach, Jose Riveiro, is trying to implement at the club?
FM: We're still in a process of trying to grasp as much information as we can possibly use. We are still progressing and improving from game to game. I can't say we fully grasped everything. So, we are in an improving stage.
DF: Interesting for all to see was how Pirates managed to overturn odds that were stacked against them. An example of this would be matching the aggression of Mamelodi Sundowns in matches, which was an element that proved to be the difference between the teams on previous occasions. Similarly, it took a while to figure out Kaizer Chiefs and once you did, it resulted in three consecutive Soweto Derby victories. What would you attribute this adaptation process to?
FM: For me, it all comes back to the preparation. I think you can't prepare for one team the same way that you prepare for the other team because they bring in different elements. So, it shows how much our coaches and everyone in the team spend much more time preparing for the game. So, each and every adjustment has to come with whichever team that we are facing, so that would be credit to the technical team and everyone that's actually trying their best to implement whatever it is that is in place for that week's plan.
DF: A concern for Pirates has been the fact that, for the last few years, the club has not delved deeply into the CAF Champions League. Is this an area that we could potentially see being addressed in the future with the club pushing more aggressively to compete?
FM: I think each and every one that stands for Pirates is actually handed that responsibility. It comes as a mandate to say we have to fight for everything, and we need to play to make history. So, playing in the Champions League is one of the things that is actually expected from each and every player that comes into the Orlando Pirates camp.
Changing of positions works in your favour
Soccer Laduma also spoke to Siphesihle Ndlovu, who like Fortune Makaringe, is a midfielder but has had to switch roles for the benefit of the team.
Delmain Faver: Gatsheni, like Fortune Makaringe you are no stranger to playing in various positions yourself. We previously saw you deployed at right back for Orlando Pirates. What are your thoughts on players being able to be versatile in the modern game?
Siphesihle Ndlovu: Actually, changing of positions for me I feel like it works in your favour all the time because if one player can get injured, then they can think about you and know that you are there. But also, it can be a disadvantage for you in your position because you won't be getting an opportunity to play where you love but changing of position is a great thing for a player because it gives him more opportunities and the eyes cannot be taken off him.
DF: If you are a national team player and you were selected in a certain position, would changing your position come back to haunt you because you aren't playing where the coach would usually use you?
SN: Obviously, it can harm chances of you being in the national team because now you are looked at as a right back instead of a midfielder – but if a coach sees something that he can use, obviously he's going to go for you, but ja, it can really affect the chances of you getting into the national team.
DF: When is it best to make the positional switch? When you are starting out your career and trying to find your feet, or as an older player who is already established in a certain position but trying to prolong their career?
SN: No, it's not that difficult for any player as long as you understand football. Because football nowadays is played with patterns. It's all about understanding patterns and understanding movements, more especially that of your teammates. So, if you understand, you can always play and change positions and always perform. But if you don't then it's different.
FORTUNE MAKARINGE FACT FILE
Date of birth: 17 April 1986
Place of birth: Johannesburg, Gauteng
Position: Midfielder
Jersey number: 11
Club: Orlando Pirates
Previous clubs: Swallows FC Juniors, Maritzburg United
Honours: 2017/18 Nedbank Cup runner-up (with Maritzburg) 2020/21 MTN8 winner, 2021/22 CAF Confederation Cup runner up, 2022/23 Nedbank Cup winner, 2022/23 MTN8 winner, 2023/24 MTN8 winner (all with Pirates)
