5 June 2018 – Bafana Bafana midfielder Fortune Makaringe says while they hurting following the loss to Madagascar in the quarterfinal of the 2018 COSAFA Cup, they have to be professional enough and keep their heads up.
South Africa was knocked out of the competition by the islanders 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 0-0 at the end of regulation time.
The clash took place on Sunday, 3 June 2018 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
“It is a huge loss bearing in mind that we are the hosts, and much is expected from us, so it is a very difficult thing for the entire team that we lost,” said Makaringe.
“We are all professionals, we have to encourage one another and keep our heads up, and if we don’t do that we will be in trouble again and suffer another loss.”
The Maritzburg United player was making his debut for Bafana Bafana and impressed in the middle of the park.
“It was a great feeling despite the fact that we lost, it would have been more meaningful though if we won the game, especially after the team played so well as a collective,” added Makaringe, who walked away with the Man of the Match award for his sterling performance.
“It’s all credit to the whole team, I would not have done it alone, they complemented whenever I was doing something right, so all credit goes to the entire team.”
Bafana Bafana next face Namibia in the plate semi-final, which will be played at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday, 5 June.
Kickoff is at 17h00.
FACT FILE – FORTUNE MAKARINGE
Born: 13 May 1993
Position: Midfielder
Club: Maritzburg United
Caps: 1
Cautions: 1
National team debut: v Madagascar, COSAFA Cup, 3 June 2018
Caps per club: Maritzburg United 1
Midfielder who was developed with Moroka Swallows, but moved to Maritzburg United ahead of the 2014/15 season … took some time to establish himself, but had his breakthrough year in 2017/18 where he was a key part of the team that finished fourth in the PSL … born in Johannesburg.
National Team Games Statistics
| No. | Date | Match | Competition | Notes | |
| 1. | 03.06.18
Polokwane |
v Madagascar 0-0 | COSAFA Cup | caution, won Man of the Match | |