Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has given his verdict on playing Fortune Makaringe at the right-back position in the past two games.
Pirates defeated Moroka Swallows 2-0 in the DStv Premiership at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday to claim the Soweto Derby bragging rights.
The Buccaneers came into the clash against the Dube Birds sweating over the absence of key players due to injuries and suspensions.
Amongst players who are sidelined for Pirates are Sipho Chaine, Paseka Mako, Innocent Maela, Thabiso Monyane, Bandile Shandu, and Sandile Mthethwa.
Meanwhile, midfield workhorse Thabang Monare missed the Swallows match due to suspension. Monare was red-carded against Richards Bay FC last week at King Zwelithini Stadium.
Interestingly, Pirates went for a makeshift defense which saw Makaringe play at the right-wing back position in the absence of Shandu and Monyane.
This was the second game in a row that Makaringe played at right back. He assumed the same role in the 0-0 draw against Richards Bay.
JOSE RIVEIRO ADMITS FORTUNE MAKARINGE RAISED HIS HAND TO PLAY REGULARLY
With the former Maritzburg United midfield maestro putting a stellar performance against the Dube Birds, Riveiro admitted that Makaringe raised his hand to play regularly.
“We now have the inclusion of Fortune Makaringe in the starting 11, at the right-back position even though it’s under control,” said Riveiro.
“We were working on it [playing Makaringe at right back] from a long time ago. Now it’s an opportunity for him to play in that position.
“Today we played with Fortune a bit lower in the build-up and Vincent [Pule] wide open as a winger. And then Patrick Maswanganyi in the half-space but sometimes the understanding between the three of them was not good.
“Every time that Maswanganyi was receiving the ball in the first half, he was really under pressure. In the balls that he received from Olisah [Ndah] or Miguel Timm in the same corridor, we had an opportunity to find Relebohile [Mofokeng but they [Swallows] were pressing us too high.”
Makaringe has had a slow start to the season after starting only two games for Pirates in the league. The skillful midfielder has featured in nine games in all competitions
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