Makola came on for Luvuyo Memela in the 60th minute against Chippa and Pirates looked better immediately, and he capped it off with two superb strikes to seal the three points.
The first was a fantastic, bending drive into the top-left corner from about 25 yards out and the second a classy curler into the far-right corner from the left edge of the penalty area.
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Tinkler says it is something the player has been working on.
“We sat with Makola, discussing the analysis of his game and we identified that he needed to move the ball quicker and said when he gets into those areas, particularly when he cuts in from the left, he must not be afraid to shoot,” Tinkler explained.
“I’m very happy for him because he played to his strength, and that is his ability to shoot.
“Last season he had a great season, his best season at the club. He scored a lot of goals and created a lot of opportunities. He was also the fittest player last season and did a lot of work.
“This season Thabo Rakhale and Sifiso Myeni have been in good form and he needed to wait for his opportunity, and he grabbed it with both hands and I'm proud for him.”
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Tinkler was not happy with his side’s overall performance but was delighted with the result, which moves his side to the top of the Absa Premiership table having played a game more than the rest.
“Tonight's game was good for us because it helps us in the League, gets us up the ladder. It also helps with the form going into CAF.
“We were slow in the first half, very poor. We lost the ball cheaply, couldn't make the pass or pick the cross. We were terrible.
“But we got more confident as we went on and it showed when we got the second goal. We started finding our feet so I'm very happy there.”
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Tinkler admitted he has some concerns on the injury front after Ntsikelelo Nyauza appeared to hobble off injured towards the end of the match, but again dismissed talk of fatigue.
“We have a few contact injuries, as you know. Brighton [Mhlongo] did his ligaments in, Patrick [Phungwayo] has fluid in his knee. He is just resting.
“Thabo Matlaba is training with the team but we are easing him back so it's still a few weeks before we see him again in the team.
“Jomo Rakhale is also being rested and Menzi Masuku is a precaution from his knock. They should all be fine ahead of this weekend.
“The media have made my job difficult with this mention of fatigue. As you can hear, my injuries are not from fatigue, but knocks.”
Tinkler added: “It's a blessing that we didn't play this weekend [in the MTN8 semi-finals]; it gave our guys a rest. But I'm not happy because it meant no semi-final.”