OnSport Reporter
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has expressed his condolences to Zifa and the late Tendai Ndoro’s family following the passing away of the Warriors’ striker, who died on Monday.
Ndoro, who played for Chicken Inn locally, various clubs in South Africa including giants Orlando Pirates, died at 40 and his body was discovered in his apartment in Sandton, Johannesburg.
In a condolence message to Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi, Infantino recognising Ndoro’s colourful international career and his immense contribution to Chicken Inn.
“I would like to express my sincerest and heartfelt condolences on the passing of former international player, Tendai Ndoro. Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel for this loss. During his international career, Tendai Ndoro was regularly capped by Zimbabwe and notably participated in the 2017 CAF African Cup of Nations. At club level, he defended the colours of Chicken Inn FC in his home country, as well as several South African clubs, including Orlando Pirates FC. He also played in Saudi Arabia and Oman,” Infantino said.
He added: “Legend of Zimbabwe football, known for his talent and resilience, inspiration for many young footballers, his legacy and achievements, and in particular his personality, his leadership, his popularity and his human qualities will not be forgotten, and he will be truly missed. On behalf of the international football community, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Zimbabwe Football Association, and to Tendai Ndoro’s family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts are with all of you. We hope that these memories and our words of support may help bring some peace and solace at this difficult time.”
Ndoro played for Chicken Inn from 2011 to 2013 before joining South Africa’s Mpumalanga Black Aces FC.
He then moved to Orlando Pirates in 2015 where he made his name in the South African top league and briefly featured for Ajax Cape Town and the ill-fated move got Ajax relegated as it was in breach of Fifa statutes.
Ndoro also played for Al-Faisaly of Saudi Arabia from 2017 to 2018 and also had a brief stint with Al-Orouba of Oman in 2019.
Earlier, Magwizi also paid tribute to Ndoro and in a speech delivered at the Warriors’ legend’s memorial service in Kempton Park, he said Zifa is committed to the welfare of football players, thanking everyone who had stepped up to assist including Zororo-Phumulani, who pledged to repatriate Ndoro’s body to Zimbabwe for burial.
The Saudi Arabia Football Federation has also sent in their condolences.
Mourners are gathered at Number 1976 Nketa 8 in Bulawayo awaiting Ndoro’s body for the burial, with dates to be announced in due course.
The family has requested for privacy in the moment of grief, while football stakeholders locally and abroad have taken turns to pass their condolences following Ndoro’s demise.
