Online Reporter
A SOUTH African newspaper has compiled what it believes were Tendai Ndoro’s five defining moments in football.
The former Zimbabwean international, who was found dead in his apartment in Johannesburg this week, was honoured on Wednesday when Orlando Pirates observed a minute of silence before their league match against Stellenbosch.
Ndoro played for Orlando Pirates between 2015 and 2017.
Pirates won Wednesday night’s match 1-0 to register their first points of the new Betway Premiership campaign.
South Africa’s Daily News has compiled what they deem are Ndoro’s five defining moments:
5) Extra-time heroics against Mamelodi Sundowns In the 2016 Nedbank Cup
Ndoro scored his fifth goal of the tournament and provided an assist as Orlando Pirates defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 after extra time at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
The Buccaneers had played much of the match with 10 men following Edwin Gyimah’s dismissal, and Ndoro’s finishing and calm under pressure earned him hero status, propelling Pirates into the semi-finals and further cementing his reputation as a clutch performer.
4) His one and only AFCON goal
Ndoro scored for Zimbabwe in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, netting one of two goals in a 4-2 defeat to Tunisia.
While the Warriors ultimately lost, the strike highlighted Ndoro’s ability to perform on the continental stage.
His contribution reminded fans and pundits alike of his natural attacking instincts and finishing ability, providing a glimpse of his talent beyond South African club football and into the international arena.
3) Hat-trick hero
In the 2016/17 Absa Premiership, Ndoro delivered the season’s first hat-trick to inspire Orlando Pirates to a 3-1 victory over Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium.
Quiet in the first half, he erupted after the break, scoring three goals in 27 minutes.
His performance marked the first official match under coach Muhsin Ertugral and showcased the striker’s knack for changing games single-handedly with speed, precision, and composure.
2) Soweto Derby brace
Ndoro scored a memorable brace against Kaizer Chiefs in a Nedbank Cup clash at FNB Stadium, propelling Pirates to the last 16.
Frequently benched under coach Eric Tinkler, Ndoro proved his worth with a double that stunned thousands of Amakhosi fans.
The striker later described the match as a turning point in his Pirates career, showing his ability to rise to big occasions and deliver when it mattered most.
1) Consistent goal-scoring presence in the Premiership
Ndoro amassed 36 goals and 12 assists in 112 Betway Premiership appearances for Pirates, Highlands Park, and Black Aces.
His predatory instincts, clever movement, and clinical finishing made him a constant threat in the final third.
Beyond statistics, his energy, resilience, and commitment on and off the ball earned him respect from teammates and opponents alike, leaving a lasting imprint on South African football.
Apart from revealing that he suffered from diabetes, Ndoro’s star was also deemed when he became the centre of Ajax Cape Town’s relegation from the Premiership.
In what came to be widely known as the Ndorogate, the player was accused of violating Fifa regulations by playing for three clubs in one season − Platinum Stars, Polokwane City and SuperSport United protested Ndoro’s eligibility.
The PSL charged Ajax with using a player who had already played for two different clubs previously in a single season.
This after SAFA ruled that Ajax had illegally fielded footballer Tendai Ndoro, docking the Mother City team nine points.
The footballer himself received a two-match suspension.
As a result the now defunct Urban Warriors lost nine points − falling from 31 to 22 − meaning that they were automatically relegated − Sports Reporter/Daily News (SA).
