Former Zimbabwe and Orlando Pirates striker Tendai “Fire” Ndoro has died at the age of 40, plunging both the Zimbabwean and South African football communities into mourning.
Ndoro was found unresponsive in his Johannesburg apartment on Monday, 18 August 2025. Orlando Pirates confirmed the news in a statement that expressed shock and sadness at the loss of their former forward, whose explosive pace and lethal finishing once made him one of the most feared strikers in the South African Premiership. The cause of his death has not yet been made public.
Born on 15 May 1985, Ndoro rose to prominence with Zimbabwe’s Chicken Inn before crossing into South Africa to join Mpumalanga Black Aces. His breakthrough came at Orlando Pirates, where his memorable hat-tricks and clinical goals earned him the nickname “Fire.” Over two seasons with the Buccaneers, he scored 25 goals in 48 league appearances, etching his name into the hearts of the Soweto giants’ faithful. He later had stints with Al-Faisaly in Saudi Arabia, Ajax Cape Town, Highlands Park, and Al-Orouba in Oman.
Ndoro also proudly wore the Zimbabwean jersey, representing the Warriors between 2013 and 2017. In that time, he scored five goals in 14 international appearances, becoming a vital figure in the national setup and a beacon for aspiring young players back home.
In recent years, however, his life was marred by health struggles. Earlier in 2025, Ndoro was hospitalised in Durban as he battled diabetes-related complications, sparking concern across the football fraternity. Just months later, he underwent surgery in South Africa to remove a tumour under his armpit, an operation he described as life-saving and a chance to start over. His openness about his health journey earned him both sympathy and admiration, as fans rallied around him during his recovery.
The news of his sudden passing has left many reeling. Tributes have poured in from former teammates, fans, and football officials who remember not only his prowess on the field but also the resilience and determination he showed off it. For many, Ndoro embodied both the dazzling brilliance and the painful fragility that so often define the careers of athletes.