Former Orlando Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa is shocked by Orlando Pirates decision to let Fortune Makaringe and Thabang Monare leave the club.
Makaringe has been with the Sea Robbers for the last five seasons after joining from Maritzburg United. He went on to play 147 games across all competitions for the Soweto giants where he scored 10 goals and managed to provide nine assists.
His former teammate Monare was snapped by Bucs from the now-defunct Bidvest Wits at the beginning of the 2020/21 campaign. During his stay at Pirates, the midfielder played a total of 93 games, scoring a goal and providing two assists in the process.
The duo has been vital for Bucs – apart from the just concluded 2023/24 season when they were limited by injuries, but they were let go alongside goalkeepers Richard Ofori and Siyabonga Mpontshane. Kermit Erasmus and Souaibou Marou are the other players who were deemed surplus to requirements by coach Jose Riveiro.
Have Pirates made a mistake? – ‘It came as a shocker'
Makaringe made 10 appearances across all competitions in his final campaign as Bucs player, one less than Monare. The Buccaneers went on to win the MTN8, Nedbank Cup and finished second in the Premier Soccer League.
With a busy 2024/25 campaign coming, Manyisa feels the aforementioned players could have made a massive impact for the team.
“It is so unfortunate [for Makaringe and Monare] when you are playing at a team like Orlando Pirates, and it’s time to leave,” he told Far Post.
“Basically, you have to play to stay there and to hold on, and at the end of the day, you have to play football.
“They [Pirates] are trying to continue with other players that they have in the squad. But it came as a shocker when they were to leave the club.”
What next for Pirates? Will they challenge Downs?
Bucs are seen as the only team, currently, capable of challenging Sundowns in the PSL. The latter have won the league for the last seven years in a row.
To ensure they challenge Masandawana, Riveiro has to add quality players to his side to enable Bucs to offer stiff competition. Apart from the league, the Soweto giants will be aiming to have an impact in the domestic competition.
They will be aiming at defending their MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles as well as pushing for the Carling Knockout. After the second preliminary-round exit from the Caf Champions League last season, the Spaniard will be hoping to do better.
