How Milimo Nalumango’s fitness session turned into an Orlando Pirates contract

Milimo Nalumango’s attempt to stay fit after finishing school unexpectedly led to a move to Orlando Pirates.

The 19-year-old defender joined the Buccaneers’ development structures after returning from Germany, having previously spent much of his football education in South Africa and abroad.

Nalumango’s father, Dr David Tebogo Nalumango, said there had been no detailed plan for his son to join Orlando Pirates when he returned to Mzansi earlier this year. Instead, an introduction involving former Pirates players Perry Mutapa and James Mothibi created the opportunity.

Holiday training opened the door

Nalumango had already trained with SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs during a previous holiday, although the sessions were intended only to help him maintain his fitness.

“Last year when he was on holiday, he came back to train with SuperSport. He had a training session with SuperSport. He also had training sessions with Kaizer Chiefs, you know, just to keep fit. That was a few weeks ago, during their pre-season,” Dr Nalumango told the Siya crew.

At the time, the teenager was considering returning to South Africa after completing his education.

“He just said, ‘You know what, dad, when I finish my school, I think I can come back and see if I can get into a club here.’ So, he finished his school just now in June,” his father said.

When Nalumango arrived back in South Africa, Zambia U-20 coach Perry Mutapa was in the country. Mutapa introduced the family to James Mothibi, who remains involved in football development after his playing career.

“He introduced us to coach James Mothibi,” Dr Nalumango said.

The family then asked Mothibi whether he could help Nalumango find a team where he could train.

“And then we asked coach Mothibi, is it possible since the boy is here that he can go and train with a team here? And he said, ‘No problem, if he’s interested, I can take him to Pirates, let him go and train and keep fit.’”

Short trial led to contract offer

The arrangement was initially expected to be a brief training opportunity. However, after only one or two sessions with Orlando Pirates, the club contacted the family to express its interest.

“He introduced us to Orlando Pirates. He trained one or two days, and next thing we were getting a call from the manager saying, no, we like this boy. Is he able to join our team?” said Dr Nalumango.

Pirates then asked to assess the defender in matches before reaching a decision.

“They said, okay, we just need to watch him in one or two games. They played one or two games, and next thing he was offered a contract. And, yeah, that is where he is playing today.”

Nalumango began his football journey in Johannesburg and spent more than half his life at the SuperSport Academy before moving to Europe, where he continued his football development and schooling.

“We obviously honour the structures that he was developed in. Obviously, that being the SuperSport Academy, he spent literally more than half his life there. He’s been there since the age of three. And they’ve developed him up to the standards that he is portraying currently,” his father added.