Midfielder Fortune Makaringe has revealed a unique role that ex-Kaizer Chiefs star Lebogang Manyama is playing at Cape Town City FC.
Manyama has been Eric Tinkler’s assistant coach at CT City since September 2023. The retired footballer gave Makaringe a warm welcome at CT City after he parted ways with Orlando Pirates.
The 31-year-old midfielder had a remarkable stay at the Buccaneers. He won six trophies, including two Nedbank Cup trophies, three MTN8 titles, and the Carling Black Label.
He left for the Mother City-based side club at the end of the 2023/24 PSL campaign after making 11 appearances with one goal in all competitions at Bucs.
MAKARINGE ON THE UNIQUE ROLE BEING PLAYED THE EX-CHIEFS STAR MANYAMA
At CT City, Makaringe reunited with coach Tinkler, who he had previously worked with at Maritzburg United [Durban City FC].
Interestingly, he has observed a unique role that is being played by Manyama at the Citizens. For Makaringe, Manyama’s ‘linkman’ skills have gone beyond his playing days.
“I, for one, can attest to everything. I watched him [Manyama] transition from the time I was an amateur footballer,” Makaringe told FARPost. “So I grew up to play professional football against him during his time as a player at CT City and Chiefs. Now, he is my coach.
“When I came here, he welcomed me as much as the whole team did. He is a good human being. A few weeks ago, we had a chat and he was telling me how important it is to help shy players. That’s the role he has been playing for Coach Eric and everyone.
“He is the linkman between those kind of shy players and the coach. We are gifted in our different ways, and we just choose to unwrap ourselves at different times in football.
“So coach Lebo is playing that role of uplifting those young players who are unable to express themselves to the coach.
“He is the link between them and the coach because as much as we are gifted, we unwrap ourselves at different moments. He saw it all through his illustrious career; hence, he took it upon himself to uplift others that are timid.”
RELATED STORY: Lebogang Manyama linked with coaching role at PSL side
