adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
WARRIORS hitman Tendai Ndoro had a big surprise on Thursday evening when his teammates and technical team organised a birthday party for him as they prepared for the trip to Tanzania. Ndoro, who has just returned to the national team fold following an explosive start to his career with his new South Africa side Mpumalanga Black Aces, turned 26.
The former Chicken Inn forward has a twin brother, Takudzwa, who is also a professional goalkeeper with Botswana Premiership side BDF XI.
While the focus was firmly on the upcoming fixture in Tanzania, the Warriors’ technical department and players had also been planning behind the scenes for the lighter moments.
Ndoro said he was happy with the spirit of oneness, which he believes will help make the job lighter in Tanzania as they begin a long journey in the qualifiers.
“It was a big surprise to me and I suspect the manager (Sharif Musa) was behind that. I knew that (Thursday) was my birthday, but then I didn’t expect anything of that sort since we were in camp with the national team.
“I thought everyone was focusing on the match against Tanzania and then in the evening after the board meeting I heard a lady singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song and everything else just fell into place.
“We all enjoyed it and I felt special being among such professional guys. They made me feel at home because I was really missing home each time I thought about my birthday.
“I want to thank these guys, they made my day. It meant a lot to me and I look forward to repaying them on Sunday.
“They showed love and I tell you the spirit we have here is great. We are working together nicely and hopefully it will continue like this on the field of play,” said Ndoro.
Ndoro, who carried Zimbabwe with crucial goals during the Cosafa tournament in Zambia last year before he moved to South Africa, feels indebted to the national cause as his dream is to play at the Afcon finals in Morocco next year.
Despite only joining Black Aces in January, the 2013 Castle Lager Premiership Golden Boot winner exceeded expectations, scoring seven goals as he surpassed most strikers who were involved since the beginning of the season last year.
His goal-scoring prowess has also attracted the attention of South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
He only ended three goals shy of Golden Boot winner Bernard Parker.
Knowledge Musona, who was the leading Zimbabwean scorer in Super Diski, only scored one goal more than Ndoro despite starting his season in August last year.
While it is his ambition to fight for the Absa Premiership Golden Boot next season, Ndoro is at the moment concentrating on the job at hand in Tanzania.
“We are ready and everyone is looking forward to it. We all want to win the game, but if that cannot happen then we should aim to come back home with a draw, at least.
“I believe we can make it to Morocco. We have a strong team and I am glad to be part of the team. I am also happy I played my part during the qualifiers of the CHAN tournament last year.
“It was unfortunate the rules say foreign-based players should not play at the CHAN, but I really wanted to be involved. So I want to put in good effort again so that we go to Afcon,” said Ndoro.
Many feel Ndoro was the missing link in the CHAN team and had he been eligible to play, the Warriors would have won the tournament.
Online Reporter