Former African Football Star Tragically Dies at 40, Found Dead in Apartment Under Unclear Details
- Former Zimbabwe international striker Tendai Ndoro has tragically passed away at the age of 40
- Ndoro was found unresponsive at his apartment in Johannesburg, and details of his death are still unclear
- Tributes have poured in from Orlando Pirates, the Zimbabwean football community, and fans worldwide
Former Zimbabwean international and well-known striker, Tendai Ndoro, has tragically passed away at the age of 40.
Reports indicate he was found unresponsive at his apartment in Johannesburg on Monday, though the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
Source: Getty Images
Ndoro's death joins a list of football stars who have tragically passed, remembering the recent report of an eight-year-old aspiring star who died after he was thrown into a river in Italy.
The death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai was another high-profile death recorded in the past weeks.
A look at Ndoro’s football journey
Ndoro’s professional journey began at Chicken Inn in Zimbabwe, where his eye for goal quickly caught the attention of the football world, The Herald reports.
His prolific scoring earned him a move to South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, joining Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Source: Getty Images
From there, he sealed a deal to prominence at Orlando Pirates, enjoying a memorable spell that saw him become a fan favourite.
Ndoro’s standout season came in the 2016/17 campaign with Pirates, where he netted 12 league goals and established himself as one of the top forwards in South African football.
The Zimbabwean forward later played for Ajax Cape Town, Highlands Park, and also had a short stint with Saudi side Al-Faisaly.
On the international stage, Ndoro represented Zimbabwe 14 times and was part of the squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, where he showcased his talent on one of Africa’s biggest stages.
Ndoro’s health challenges surface
Ndoro’s career, however, was cut short due to health challenges.
After leaving Highlands Park in 2020, it was revealed he had been struggling with diabetes, a condition that severely affected his health and eyesight, African Insider reports.
Concerns about his well-being surfaced in 2021 when photos of the striker appeared online, showing him in visibly poor health.
Reports suggested that his illness forced him into early retirement, marking a sad end to what was once a promising and exciting football career.
Tributes pour in for Ndoro
News of Ndoro’s tragic passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from the football world.
His former club, Orlando Pirates, issued a heartfelt statement expressing deep sadness at the loss of their former striker.
“Orlando Pirates Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former striker, Tendai Ndoro (2015–2017).
"The club extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time,” the statement read.
The South African Football Players Union also paid tribute, highlighting his contribution to the game both in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Fans across social media echoed similar sentiments, with many describing Ndoro as a talented forward whose life and career ended far too soon.
One fan posted: “Former Zimbabwean international and Orlando Pirates striker Tendai Ndoro has sadly passed away at the age of 40. May his soul rest in peace 🕊️🕊️🕊️.”
Another added: “Tendai Ndoro has been battling diabetes since 2021. 💔 His struggles with the disease led to his retirement from football in 2020 due to eyesight issues. RIP, ‘Fire 7’ 🕊️🕊️🕊️.”
Rute Cardoso pens tribute to Diogo Jota
In another development, Legit.ng reported that Rute Cardoso is still keeping the memory of her late husband alive after penning an emotional tribute to the late Liverpool forward ahead of her first visit to Anfield.
The Reds paid tribute to their former player, who died in a car accident in northern Spain last month at the age of 28, together with his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
