Tendai Ndoro during his time with Highlands Park in 2019
The football fraternity is mourning the sad passing of former Orlando Pirates and Zimbabwe international striker Tendai Ndoro, who has died after a long battle with illness.
Ndoro, affectionately known as ‘Fire’ during his playing days, lit up stadiums across South Africa and beyond with his clinical finishing and charismatic presence on the field. He was 40 years old.
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“Yes, unfortunately he was found dead in his apartment here in South Africa. I am still in communication with someone close to his family,” confirmed a close source.
Former Zimbabwe international midfielder Edelbert Dinha, who also turned out for Pirates and Ajax during his career in the PSL, was among the first to arrive at Ndoro’s residence, where he confirmed the heartbreaking news and shared his emotions from the scene.
“Eish, my brother, it’s very sad and I’m not feeling good at all right now. I am actually at the scene as we speak. We are still waiting to hear the full story of what happened, but what I can confirm is that we heard about his passing this afternoon and rushed here to check. Apparently, he had already been gone for about three days,” said Dinha, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
“Some of his uncles and aunts are here as well, having rushed to attend to the situation as soon as they got the news. Peter Ndlovu is also here, which is comforting because it shows that we are all standing together to support one of our own during this painful time. Sadly, Tendai was alone at the time of his passing, but as I said, we are still waiting for the full details of what really happened,” said Dinha.
A prolific career across Africa and abroad
Born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Ndoro rose to prominence with Chicken Inn in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, where his eye for goal earned him widespread recognition. His exploits soon took him to Mzansi, joining Mpumalanga Black Aces before sealing a move to Orlando Pirates in 2015.
At Pirates, Ndoro became a fan favourite, delivering memorable performances in the famous black and white jersey. During his time at the Buccaneers, he scored some crucial goals, including some memorable ones, that cemented his reputation as one of the most lethal strikers in the PSL.
Following his successful spell in Soweto, Ndoro’s career saw him venture abroad with Saudi Arabian side Al-Faisaly, before returning to Mzansi with Ajax Cape Town and Highlands Park.
On the international stage, Ndoro represented Zimbabwe’s Warriors, earning caps between 2013 and 2017, including an appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Health battles in later years
After hanging up his boots, Ndoro’s health became a major concern. In recent years, he suffered serious complications, including reported temporary blindness and a sharp decline in his physical condition, which worried the football community. Despite undergoing treatment and even speaking positively about recovery following surgery earlier this year, Ndoro’s battle sadly came to an end.
Remembering Fire
Tributes have already begun pouring in from former teammates, clubs, and fans who remember Ndoro not only for his goals but also for the passion and flair he brought to the game.
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Ndoro’s story is one of immense talent, resilience, and a career that inspired many young footballers in Zimbabwe and South Africa. He will be remembered as a striker who, at his peak, could change a game in an instant.
May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find comfort in the legacy he leaves behind.
Halftime ceremony celebrated Racheal Kundananji’s Lauren Holiday Impact Award nomination and Bay FC’s commitment to expanding youth access to soccer across the Bay Area
San Francisco (August 16, 2025) – Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji and Soccer Without Borders, an Oakland-based nonprofit dedicated to removing barriers to sports participation for youth, today unveiled the first-ever team kits for an Oakland-based Soccer Without Borders middle school girls’ team during a special pre-match event at Bay FC’s home match against the San Diego Wave. The custom kits, designed in collaboration with Kundananji, the girls’ team, and youth organization Design FC, were made exclusively for the Soccer Without Borders’ middle school girls’ team. Today’s unveiling was part of Kundananji’s nomination for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, which recognizes her work locally and globally to expand access to sport for girls and young women. Fans are invited to show support for Kundananji through the Fan Impact Challenge of the Lauren Holiday Impact Award by visiting bayfc.com to vote and are encouraged to vote daily through August 30.
During halftime, Bay FC and Nationwide representatives joined members of the Soccer Without Borders middle school girls’ team on the pitch as the team unveiled their new kits to fans at PayPal Park. For years, the team had requested kits but lacked the funding and resources. Designed entirely by the girls’ team, the kits reflect their creativity, identity, and stories, and align with both organizations’ missions to remove barriers that keep underserved youth from playing sports.
Before today’s match, Bay FC hosted a mini-Media Day for the Soccer Without Borders youth girls’ soccer team to take part in, just as professional athletes would on the day of their season kit unveiling. Bay FC provided hair and makeup for the youth, and had the girls participate in photo and video shoots, as well as a mini press conference. The youth also entered PayPal Park through the player entrance, enjoyed warmups on the field, and will be taking part in a post-match meet and greet with Racheal Kundananji.
Racheal Kundananji Nomination Today’s unveiling was part of Racheal Kundananji’s nomination for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide, which recognizes her work locally and globally to expand access to sport for girls and young women. Through the nomination, Kundananji selected Soccer Without Borders as her beneficiary for the award, building on the work of her recently established “Racheal Kundananji Legacy Foundation,” which aims to empower girls in Zambia and worldwide through soccer and sports.
Beyond the pitch, Kundananji has used her platform and foundation to connect with and lead programs across the Bay Area and Zambia to benefit underprivileged girls’ soccer players and youth, including:
Collaborating with international organizations UNAIDS and UNESCO to host free soccer events, advancing access to the game in underprivileged communities
Partnering with government officials to support the promotion of equitable governance, the ending of unethical practices, and promotion of girls’ education in Zambia
Partnering with NOWSPAR Women in Sport to put on a gender and safeguarding workshop, advocating for women’s rights and an inclusive and safe sports environment for female athletes
In 2024, Kundananji was appointed as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and support bridging the gap between global awareness and local action. Earlier this year, she was recognized locally, being named one of 2025’s Most Inspiring Women of the Bay Area by the San Francisco Examiner and Nob Hill Gazette for her important work furthering access to sport, HIV/AIDS awareness, and being a positive role model to young women and girls.
Nationwide has donated $5,000 to Soccer Without Borders in connection with Kundananji’s nomination, and the organization could receive an additional $10,000 if she wins the Fan Impact Challenge, open for daily voting through August 30 at bayfc.com. For more information on Racheal Kundananji, Soccer Without Borders, and the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, click here.
Lauren Holiday Impact Award The Lauren Holiday Impact Award presented by Nationwide shines light on players who are making a difference in their communities and honors the ongoing example of excellence and commitment set by the two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award.
At the end of the season, one nominee chosen by a panel consisting of Lauren Holiday and representatives from Nationwide, the NWSL, NWSL Players Association and NWSL Media Association, will be named the winner of the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide. The winner of the award will be announced the week of the 2025 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel. At that time, Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charity of the winner’s choice.
Please note: Message and data rates may apply if fans choose to vote using their mobile device. Votes generated by script, macro, or other automated means, or with the intent to affect the integrity of the voting process will be void.
About Bay Football Club Bay Football Club (Bay FC) is the new women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area and the 14th team to join the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Bay FC was established in April 2023 and co-founded by USWNT legends Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner in partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street and an investor group of leading tech, business and sports executives. Sixth Street’s investment is the largest institutional investment to date in a women’s professional sports franchise. Bay FC is changing the face of women’s soccer as we know it. Beginning play in the 2024 season, we are building a squad that will play the beautiful game with power, passion, energy, and creativity. Tickets are now on sale for Bay FC at https://bayfc.com and fans can follow Bay FC’s social channels (@wearebayfc) for the latest news, merchandise, and events.
BREAKING: Former Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro dies
Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter Former Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro has died. He was 40. Information reaching us is still sketchy and patchy but reports suggest the former Orlando Pirates forward…
Kaizer Chiefs started the Betway Premiership season without head coach Nasereddine Nabi but have managed to win their opening two encounters.
Coach Nabi is currently in his home country, Tunisia, attending to his wife who was involved in an accident shortly before Chiefs’ 2-0 win over Stellenbosch FC a couple weeks ago.
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Assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef has now poured cold water on those suggesting that Nabi is not involved in decision-making leading up to the games.
Speaking to the media during a press conference ahead of their game against Richards Bay United on Tuesday evening, Youseff has revealed that they have zoom meetings with Nabi and the technical team everyday.
“I think this point we have discussed a lot about it. The coach is here or the coach is not here. We are a technical staff. All of us are familiar and we work together. We keep contact every day. Every training session we discuss and we make on zoom. And every day we have meetings as the technical staff to discuss about all the players. We prepare for the game together and really coach Nabi is not here physically but he is with us. We work together. We are a team and we help each other and we don’t think about who is here, who is not here because, we are all a technical staff and we work together,” Youssef told the media.
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Meanwhile, the assistant coach added that now they are taking each game as a cup final as they look to extend their winning run in the league.
“This season we always have to be ready for the next game. Always to take each game like a cup game and we have decided to take it game by game without thinking far. For tomorrow, we have Richards Bay. So when we finish this game then we can start to think about the next game, ” he added.
With a new big-name landing in LA, we catch up with former MLS and USMNT star Sacha Kljestan to discuss the city’s soccer landscape and its love for both A-list names and under-the-radar role players.
Call it what you want: The City of Angels, Tinseltown, the City of Immigrants, the City of Dreams, La La Land — Los Angeles is one of the world’s largest cultural hubs, brimming with talent, ambition, and history. Whether it’s the countless dreamers chasing stardom beneath the Hollywood sign, or the longtime residents who have helped create one of the most diverse and iconic cities in the world, LA has always stood out from the crowd.
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It’s also home to one of the most vibrant soccer communities in the country, which includes a pair of fervent fan bases behind MLS clubs LAFC and LA Galaxy. The former club has been in the headlines of late, signing South Korean superstar Son Heung-min and creating a frenzy in the process.
To get a better look at what makes LA a special soccer city, I chatted with former MLS star and current MLS Season Pass pundit Sacha Kljestan, a Southern California native who started and ended his MLS career with Chivas USA and LA Galaxy, respectively.
Kljestan, born and raised in Huntington Beach to immigrant parents, played over 180 matches in LA with Chivas USA and the LA Galaxy. And as the only city to ever host three MLS teams, Kljestan knows what makes LA different.
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“There are a couple of things about LA that I think are special,” Kljestan said. “One is that from the outside, people see LA and think Hollywood, glitz and glam, and star power, right? I think that’s a bit of a false narrative. That’s what you see from the outside, and I think star power is something in LA.
“In LA, teams need stars because fans love stars for sure, but the people of LA are hard-working and blue-collar. There’s a massive immigrant population in the Los Angeles area. I am the son of an undocumented immigrant to the United States.”
The former United States men’s national team player also offered insight into why California is a hotbed for U.S. talent, noting its diversity as one of the factors.
“Of any state in the country, I think California has produced the most players who have been big-time pros on the U.S. men’s national team and in MLS,” he said. “This place is a melting pot.”
The melting pot extends to the fans as well, and both the Galaxy and LAFC have supporters that are as diverse as they are passionate.
With residents from all walks of life, LA has been able to incubate a unique soccer culture that stands out from not just the rest of the country, but the world as well.
“[LA fans] know soccer, and they love their sports and their teams here,” Kljestan said. “A lot of teams in LA have really good fans. I think the Galaxy fans who call themselves the OGs, the ones who’ve been there since ’96 or a long time and didn’t jump ship to LAFC or anything like that, they’re very loyal to their team.”
One thing that makes it easy for LA fans to stay loyal to their teams is that they both have been able to land some of the world’s biggest stars, including but not limited to David Beckham, Gareth Bale, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Giorgio Chiellini. Angelenos have all been able to watch these players in their backyard.
But there are two sides to the coin. Just as there are countless blue-collar communities that mirror LA’s luxury enclaves, fans have equally rallied behind players like Edwin Cerillo and Nathan Ordaz, who aren’t afraid to do the dirty work that may go unnoticed to a national audience.
“They love their superstars for sure, and I love that about the Galaxy and LAFC,” Kljestan said. “I’ve never shied away from bringing superstars to MLS because they’re fun to cheer for, but equally to that, there are also the guys that I think people feel connected to, either local players or those who fly under the radar who give their all for the team. I think fans connect with guys like that, too.”
The latest star to come to LA, Son is the perfect mix of big name talent and hard working grit. The former Tottenham winger’s player profile makes him the perfect face of LA for years to come.
Since Son’s unveiling at LAFC, he’s sold more jerseys than any other athlete, regardless of sport, in the world. It’s a massive coup for MLS, a league that continues to attract stars from around the globe.
“Over the past decade in the Premier League, you could say he’s probably been a top-five to top-10 player, so that’s first and foremost,” Kljestan said. “Second, he’s an Asian soccer player, probably the best Asian soccer player of all time. Obviously world-famous, and also has a massive profile in Korea. Let’s not forget that LAFC’s stadium is only about four miles from Koreatown in Downtown LA, so commercially, he’s going to be an awesome success.
“But he’s just a phenomenal player, and I think fans should be excited to see him. On top of all that, when you get to interview him or see him in public-facing settings, he’s very, very likable. I think it’ll be hard-pressed for any LAFC fan not to be enamored by this guy.”
Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images
With Kljestan now being a pundit for MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, he has been able to rile up LA Galaxy fans, infamously predicting that the G’s would finish below the playoff line last season. Riqui Puig and the Galaxy used Kljestan’s predictions as fuel for their MLS Cup title run.
“They got the last laugh, that’s for sure,” Kljestan said of the Galaxy and their fans. “But listen, I’ll stand by it. You know, I’ve got to make my opinions known, that’s my job. I’ve got to take a stance on things. Obviously, I think MLS is much better when the Galaxy is at the top.”
Kljestan didn’t think he was going to end up being a pundit after hanging up his boots with the LA Galaxy, but his trademark mustache was destined for TV. He’s highly grateful to be part of the MLS Season Pass team alongside former New York Red Bulls teammates Dax McCarty and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
“I consider myself very lucky to have this job, and I don’t take it for granted,” Kljestan said. “I’m a big believer in Major League Soccer, so I’m glad that I get to tell the stories of some of these fantastic players in the league nowadays.”
Los Angeles is a city of contrasts: glamour and grit, superstars and unsung heroes. Kljestan knows it better than most, having lived both sides of the story as a player and now as a pundit.
The fans, fiercely loyal and endlessly passionate, make every match feel bigger than just a game. With Son Heung-min joining LAFC, the city gains a player who embodies everything LA stands for: world-class talent, global appeal, and a personality fans can’t help but love. In LA, soccer isn’t just played, it’s experienced, celebrated, and debated. And with players like Son and voices like Kljestan guiding the conversation, the city’s love affair with the game shows no signs of slowing down.
In Los Angeles, soccer isn’t just a sport, it’s a lifestyle. And if you’re not paying attention, you’re already behind.
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