logo
Rest in Peace: Orlando Pirates confirm former striker's death

Rest in Peace: Orlando Pirates confirm former striker's death

Orlando Pirates Football Club is in mourning following the passing of former striker Tendai Ndoro, who played for the Buccaneers between 2015 and 2017.
Following his death at the age of 40 on Monday, the Buccaneers have extended their deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who loved him.
Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Ndoro rose to prominence at Chicken Inn before moving to South Africa with Mpumalanga Black Aces in 2013. His talent soon caught the eye of Orlando Pirates, where he became a fan favourite for his electrifying pace and knack for crucial goals.
Released Kaizer Chiefs winger rejoining home club Orlando Pirates' former striker Tendai Ndoro celebrates scoring against Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby. Image: FootballSA
'Orlando Pirates Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former striker, Tendai Ndoro (2015–2017),' the club said. 'The club extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.'
Ndoro's career was a journey across Zimbabwe and South Africa, leaving his mark wherever he went. He started at Chicken Inn in Zimbabwe before moving to South Africa with Mpumalanga Black Aces, then had stints at Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, Free State Stars, and Ajax Cape Town.
On the international stage, Ndoro proudly represented Zimbabwe, earning 14 caps and scoring five goals, including appearances at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, showing his talent was never confined to club football alone.
Orlando Pirates news: Mashiloane and Sebelebele
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pirates' Mbokazi asks fans to keep the faith
Pirates' Mbokazi asks fans to keep the faith

The Citizen

time2 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Pirates' Mbokazi asks fans to keep the faith

'We are grateful to our supporters for what they have done,' said the Pirates captain. Orlando Pirates captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi has called on Buccaneers fans to continue to get behind the team. ALSO READ: Chiefs' Cross takes his criticism on the chin Pirates are yet to win a match this season under new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. The Buccaneers will look to change that on Wednesday evening when they host Stellenbosch FC in the Betway Premiership at Orlando Stadium. Pirates confidence boost Pirates' hopes of winning the Premiership title have already suffered a huge blow with consecutive defeats to Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants. The side's confidence, however, got a much-needed boost as they held Mamelodi Sundowns to a 1-1 draw in an MTN8 semifinal first leg at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. 'We are grateful to our supporters for what they have done, and we hope they will continue rallying behind us,' Mbokazi told Pirates media after Kamogelo Sebelebele's late goal rescued a draw to take to Tshwane this weekend. 'Their support gave us hope that we'd be able to come back and equalise, thank you very much.' Mbokazi is just 19, but a sign of the esteem in which he is held at Pirates was shown when he was named as one of the vice-captains ahead of the new season. With club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi out injured, it was Mbokazi who wore the armband against Sundowns 'It was tough for us to compete today,' added Mbokazi. 'The coach and the technical team told us what to do to come back in the game. We came back and we fought because it wasn't over, and we managed to score a goal to show our fighting spirit.' Stellenbosch also failed to win either of their first two Premiership games of the season, losing at home to Kaizer Chiefs and then drawing at Magesi. Steve Barker's side, however, also gave themselves a lift in the MTN8 last weekend, beating Sekhukhune 2-0 at home to take a healthy lead into the second leg. Stellies pipped Pirates last season ALSO READ: Why Velebayi is not training with Chiefs Now the sides that finished second (Pirates) and third (Stellies) in the table last season need to get their top flight campaigns off the ground. Stellies did win this corresponding fixture last season, Devin Titus's strike enough to give Barker's men a 1-0 win at Orlando Stadium.

Orlando Pirates lead tributes to Tendai 'Fire' Ndoro
Orlando Pirates lead tributes to Tendai 'Fire' Ndoro

The South African

time2 hours ago

  • The South African

Orlando Pirates lead tributes to Tendai 'Fire' Ndoro

The football communities of South Africa and Zimbabwe are in mourning following the death of former Orlando Pirates and Zimbabwe Warriors striker Tendai 'Fire' Ndoro, who passed away in Johannesburg at the age of 40. Ndoro, who lit up the Premier Soccer League (PSL) with his pace, flair, and clinical finishing, died on Monday after a long battle with illness, including diabetes and a recent tumour diagnosis. Best known for his time at Orlando Pirates between 2015 and 2017, Ndoro became a fan favourite with his trademark sharp eye for goal. His standout season came in 2016/17, when he scored 12 league goals, narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot to Cape Town City's Lebogang Manyama. Orlando Pirates led the flood of tributes on social media, stating: 'Orlando Pirates are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former striker, Tendai Ndoro… We extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.' Nicknamed 'Fire', Ndoro was found dead at his apartment in Sandton, Johannesburg. He had reportedly been hospitalised in Durban in recent weeks due to health complications. His sudden death has stunned former team-mates, fans, and clubs across the continent. Ndoro began his professional career with Chicken Inn FC in Zimbabwe's Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, where his goal-scoring prowess caught the eye of scouts in South Africa. He moved to Mpumalanga Black Aces, before sealing a high-profile switch to Orlando Pirates. He later featured for Ajax Cape Town and Highlands Park, finishing his PSL career with 112 appearances, 36 goals, and 12 assists. Outside South Africa, Ndoro also played for Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia and Nico United in Botswana. He earned nine caps for Zimbabwe, including representing the country at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon. In a twist of fate, Ndoro was recently linked with a mentorship role at Eswatini First Division side Stumbo XI, hoping to inspire a younger generation. Talks were reportedly ongoing when he passed away. Fans have taken to social media to honour the man affectionately known as Fire, remembering his goals, humility, and passion for the sport. 'An unforeseen addition to the Angels and footballing Gods to look upon us this coming weekend! May his soul repose peacefully. Rest well, Buccaneer,' wrote one fan. Tendai Ndoro's untimely death marks the end of a life and career that touched many across southern Africa. He may be gone, but his fire on the pitch will never be forgotten. Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder excites the fans
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder excites the fans

The South African

time3 hours ago

  • The South African

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder excites the fans

Kaizer Chiefs kicked off the season with two wins over Stellenbosch FC and Polokwane City, and midfielder Thabo Cele is already feeling the energy around the squad. The 28-year-old, who spent nine years playing in Europe with clubs like Real SC, Benfica B, and Fakel Voronezh, has become a key presence in the Kaizer Chiefs midfield since joining on a free transfer. Cele, who has been linking up with Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Sibongiseni Mthethwa in Amakhosi's midfield, have been bolstered by the arrivals of Siphesihle Ndlovu, Ethan Chislett and Thulani Mabaso. Rest in Peace: Orlando Pirates confirm former striker's death 'I think in every position, if you look at it, it's important to have competition, and it makes us better, if you look at our games, we have lots of games, so we need squad depth in every position,' Cele told the media. Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele playing for Amakhosi against Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership Soweto derby. Image: Sowetan Orlando Pirates news: Mashiloane and Sebelebele 'In midfield you can see there's depth and competition which is healthy for the team, because we want to compete in every competition, for everything, and win games so it's important for the squad to develop that depth. 'Playing for this club, expectations are always there – and we here because we want to handle that expectations and feed people what they're expecting, which is good results, like we started. The Kaizer Chiefs jersey number 21 added: 'But obviously not everything is perfect, we're trying to improve in how we play, in how we create opportunities, in how, in previous games, we didn't concede, in how we can maintain and improve on that. 'If you look at the Stellenbosch game, they created some opportunities, we're trying to minimise teams creating those opportunities and us creating more opportunities.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store