How a father’s advice helped Makaringe choose Pirates over Chiefs

Former Orlando Pirates midfield maestro Fortune Makaringe has pulled back the curtain on his 2019 move to Mayfair, revealing that while Kaizer Chiefs made the first move, a heart-to-heart with his father and a childhood bond secured his signature for the Buccaneers.

Speaking on the Michael Morton Talks Football show, the current Cape Town City FC star detailed the tug-of-war for his services when he became the hottest property at Maritzburg United.

The Middendorp Factor

Makaringe confirmed that Amakhosi were the first to show interest, largely driven by a coach who knew him best.

“The first team that came was actually Kaizer Chiefs. Coach Ernst Middendorp was there at the time. He had given me a lifeline at Maritzburg. Now he wanted me at Chiefs,” Makaringe revealed. However, with the player still under contract, the final decision rested on club-to-club negotiations—an area where Pirates ultimately took the lead.

A Father’s Wisdom

While the logistics were handled at the executive level, Makaringe’s emotional compass was guided by his father. As the pressure mounted, his father asked him to look back at the young boy who used to weep when the Sea Robbers lost a match.

“My father said I needed to think back to when I was a kid. Which team I wanted to play for when I was young. What my dream was. And it was to play for Pirates,” he recalled.

The deal was sealed following a respectful approach from a Pirates representative who insisted on speaking to Makaringe’s parents first. “The following morning, he just said I was now officially a Pirates footballer.”

Silverware and Success

The choice proved to be a masterstroke. During his five-year stay in Soweto, Makaringe enjoyed the “best years” of his career, becoming a cornerstone of the squad that ended the club’s trophy drought.

While Kaizer Chiefs struggled through a lean period, Makaringe racked up over 145 appearances and lifted four major trophies, including a historic hat-trick of MTN8 titles and a Nedbank Cup. His versatility even saw him transform from a creative playmaker into a reliable right-back under Jose Riveiro, solidifying his legacy before his 2024 exit.