Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ESROM Nyandoro’s football story has always travelled beyond the pitch, and last weekend it took another turn, this time through charity.
The former Warriors midfielder’s iconic Mamelodi Sundowns jerseys fetched R70 000 at an auction held in Johannesburg to raise money for schoolchildren he is assisting in Zimbabwe.
Now, one of his most treasured shirts is coming home.
Nyandoro’s Warriors jersey, worn at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia, the tournament where he scored the Goal of the Tournament, is being auctioned in Zimbabwe with a starting price of US$2 000.
Vimbai Ndlovu, who co-ordinates the Esrom Nyandoro Foundation, confirmed this yesterday and said she hopes a local bidder will claim the jersey and help change a child’s life through education in 2026.
The Johannesburg gala raised R316 000 in pledges towards education and community support programmes.
Ndlovu described the response as overwhelming and said the former Zimbabwe and Sundowns star received immense backing from across the region.
Nyandoro’s journey from the dusty pitches of Mzilikazi, through Delma Lupepe’s AmaZulu, to the bright lights of Mamelodi Sundowns and the African football stage has shaped his insistence that charity must win.
The foundation was born during the Covid-19 pandemic when Nyandoro donated 240 bags of mealie-meal to struggling families in Bulawayo. From there, the idea grew into a broader mission to support vulnerable children.
“When Covid-19 ended, Nyandoro explored what else he could do. He chose education and started assisting children with school fees. Many parents had lost jobs and could not afford to keep their children in school,” said Ndlovu.
The foundation pays school fees for 20 learners in primary and secondary school, while another 30 students are in tertiary education. Some beneficiaries have already recorded outstanding results, including 11 A-l evel points, and are pursuing tourism and hospitality studies at Andreas Training Centre in Bulawayo.
Ndlovu said the Johannesburg event was made possible through sponsorship from Nyaradzo Funeral Services’ Zororo Phumulani Package, Rhodzi Electrical Projects and CEO Africa.
Nyandoro was also supported by two former teammates and fellow legends from his Sundowns days, Surprise Moriri and Zimbabwe great Peter Ndlovu.
Diaspora Meds emerged as the biggest single contributor on the night, donating R120 000 as total pledges reached R316 000.
“Nyaradzo Funeral Services, Jabulani Masunda, Rhodzi Electrical Projects, Remipay and CEO Africa Round Table collectively contributed to the cause. Their support ensured the successful hosting of the event for a worthy cause.
“Sibonelo Khuphe secured a signed and framed jersey for R20 000,” said Ndlovu.
On Monday, two days after the gala dinner, Nyandoro told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the event went beyond fundraising and stood as a declaration of belief in education and community.
“Every sponsor, donor and pledger who contributed helped open doors for students who could have easily lost out on education. This is not for my family and me but for the communities that raised a lot of us back home,” said Nyandoro.
