Orlando Pirates lead tributes as ‘Fire’ Ndoro passes away at 40

Orlando Pirates have led the outpouring of tributes for their former striker Tendai Ndoro, who tragically passed away on Monday at the age of 40 after a long illness.

“Orlando Pirates are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former striker, Tendai Ndoro (2015–2017),” the Soweto giants said in a statement. “The club extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Ndoro, affectionately nicknamed Fire, is said to have been found dead at his Sandton apartment.  The Zimbabwean international had battled diabetes for years. He was recently hospitalised in Durban after developing a tumour under his armpit, and his health struggles continued until his untimely passing.

His death has sent shockwaves through both South African and Zimbabwean football circles, with many mourning a striker whose flair, instinct and sharp eye for goal made him one of the most feared forwards in the region.

Ndoro’s rise to stardom began in Zimbabwe, where he burst onto the scene at Chicken Inn in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League between 2011 and 2013. 

His scoring exploits caught the eye of South African clubs, and he soon made the leap to Mpumalanga Black Aces, where his talent shone through. The peak of his career came at Pirates, where he lit up the Soweto giants between 2015 and 2017. 

His most prolific season was in 2016/17, when he netted 12 league goals and came within a whisker of winning the Golden Boot, narrowly beaten by Cape Town City’s Lebogang Manyama, who finished with 13.

In total, Ndoro made 112 appearances in the Betway Premiership, scoring 36 goals and contributing 12 assists. 

His time in South Africa also included spells at Ajax Cape Town and Highlands Park, where he last featured in the top flight between 2018 and 2020. Beyond South Africa, Ndoro also played for Nico United in Botswana and Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia.

For his country, he earned nine caps for the Warriors, including a place in Zimbabwe’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations squad in Gabon.

Even after retirement, Ndoro’s love for the game remained strong. 

Earlier this month, reports linked him with Eswatini First Division side Stumbo XI, who were said to be in talks to bring him in as a mentor and inspiration for their young squad. Sadly, those negotiations were cut short by his passing.

Ndoro’s death is a devastating loss to the football fraternity. Fondly remembered as Fire, he leaves behind memories of his brilliance on the pitch and the legacy of a career that burned bright, but ended far too soon.