Orlando Pirates management have been in this position many times before. The end of June will see the announcement of departing players. One of them is likely to be Fortune Makaringe.
ORLANDO PIRATES TO RELEASE FORTUNE MAKARINGE?
The 30-year-old central midfielder/central attacking midfielder, also known as a number 10, joined the Sea Robbers in July 2019 from Maritzburg United. The Orlando Pirates star from Vosloorus, Gauteng, went on to score 10 goals and nine assists in 147 appearances. As we approach the second half of April, Makaringe’s deal with the Soweto giants is ending on 30 June. A recent report by Soccer Laduma has suggested that Sekhukhune United are targeting Makaringe.
“They [Orlando Pirates management] already know that there are clubs that want Makaringe and its not only those two (Sekhukhune and Polokwane City),” a source told the Citizen.
“They hear these things and people always talk. I guess that’s how it is with a lot people, once a player doesn’t play much they think that he is leaving the team and they want to enquire about his services. But, there hasn’t been any formal talks about Makaringe, he is a Pirates player,” said the source.
“I think these teams who want him should just make a formal offer and the club will decide on whether they still need him or not. Another thing is that everything depends on the player because he has a contract with the club,” the report concluded.
TP MAZEMBE LEGEND RAINFORD KALABA IN HOSPITAL
Orlando Pirates supporters probably know him the best. TP Mazembe legend Rainford Kabala is fighting for his life after a car crash on Saturday, 13 April.
According to reports, the 38-year-old Kalaba was a passenger when the vehicle he was travelling in with a female driver suffered a head-on collision with a truck. Kalaba’s companion died at the scene, while the former Orlando Pirates target is left to fight for his life at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. His former club mistakenly announced he was dead before deleting the post.
The Zambia Football Association posted a clearer note about the former Orlando Pirates target.
“Kafue Traffic recorded a fatal road traffic accident along the Great North Road at Kafue S Corners near Kafue Quarry. The incident involved Mr. Muyunda Isaac, aged 32 years, of Kamwala South, who was driving a Howo truck horse with registration number AIC 805 and trailer number BAC 9540. The truck sustained extensive damage.
“Additionally, an unidentified female driver of unknown residence who was driving a Mercedes Benz car, unregistered, from south to north direction. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene of the accident. The Mercedes Benz car also suffered significant damage.
“A passenger, Mr. Rainford Kalaba, aged 38 years, of Mufurira, Copperbelt Province, was onboard the Mercedes Benz vehicle. He sustained suspected internal injuries and has been promptly transported to UTH for further medical attention. Preliminary investigations indicate that the accident occurred as a result of improper overtaking by the Benz car, leading to a collision with the oncoming truck.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with the families affected by this tragic incident. We urge all road users to adhere strictly to road safety regulations to prevent further loss of lives,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates are preparing for the weekend’s DStv Premiership action. The Sea Robbers will face another battle with AmaZulu, this time in the league. The game is set for Saturday, 20 April at 17:30 from the Orlando Stadium.
