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The football world is in mourning following the untimely death of former Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town striker Tendai Ndoro, who passed away at the age of 40.
Ndoro had been battling diabetes for several years, a condition that prematurely ended his playing career. According to reports, he was found dead at his Sandton apartment in Johannesburg on Monday. Earlier this year, the Zimbabwean international was hospitalised in Durban after doctors discovered a tumour under his armpit.
His passing is a devastating loss to both South African and Zimbabwean football communities.
Nicknamed Fire for his sharp eye for goal, Ndoro first rose to prominence with Chicken Inn FC in Zimbabwe’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League between 2011 and 2013. He later moved to South Africa, where he turned out for Mpumalanga Black Aces, Orlando Pirates, Ajax Cape Town, and Highlands Park—the latter being his final club before illness forced him to retire in 2020. He also had brief stints abroad with Nico United in Botswana and Al-Faisaly FC in Saudi Arabia.
On the international stage, Ndoro earned nine caps for Zimbabwe and was part of The Warriors squad at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
He is most fondly remembered for his time with Orlando Pirates, where he became one of the most lethal strikers in the league. Ndoro made 112 appearances in the Premiership, scoring 36 goals and providing 12 assists. In the 2016/17 season, he came close to clinching the Golden Boot, finishing with 12 goals—just one shy of top scorer Lebogang Manyama.
Remarkably, as recently as this month, Ndoro was reportedly in advanced talks with Eswatini First Division side Stumbo XI, who wanted him to play a mentoring role for their young players. Sadly, those plans will never come to fruition.
Tendai Ndoro’s death leaves a void in African football. His legacy as a natural finisher and fan favourite will live on both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
