Sports

Former Highlanders coach Methembe Ndlovu gets top US job

Published

4 years ago

January 31, 2022

BY OWN CORRESPONDENT

Trinity College has announced the appointment of former Highlanders Football Club coach Methembe Ndlovu as head men’s soccer coach.

Ndlovu comes to Trinity owning a wealth of impressive coaching and playing experience at many levels.

A four-time All-Ivy League player at Dartmouth College, Ndlovu coached at numerous clubs both in the United States and abroad and most recently served as an assistant coach at Penn State University and women’s associate head coach at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in California.

Ndlovu was also the Africa CEO of Grassroot Soccer and played both professionally and for the Zimbabwe national team. He replaces Mike Pilger who retired from coaching following the 2021 season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Methembe to the Bantam family and have him write a new chapter in the long and storied history of men’s soccer at Trinity College,” said Trinity athletic director Drew Galbraith.

“His personal history with the game is marked by success at every level.

“Methembe has a clear vision for our men’s soccer programme that includes competitive success and the holistic development of our student-athletes.

“He is a skilled teacher and his passion for the game is contagious.”

Ndlovu earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Dartmouth in 1997, where he starred on the pitch for the Big Green.

He went on to a professional career that saw him spend six years with the Albuquerque Geckos, Highlanders FC in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and the Boston Bulldogs.

In addition, Ndlovu earned nine international caps with the full Zimbabwe Men’s National Team between 1997 and 1999.

Ndlovu started his coaching career as a player assistant coach with the Cape Cod Crusaders, then of the PDL, in 2002.

In his first season as head coach in 2003, he led the Crusaders to the 2003 PDL National Championship.

He then joined the PDL Indiana Invaders as general manager and head coach.

A holder of the USSF B License, he was voted 2004 PDL National Coach of the Year.

That year, Ndlovu also served as a volunteer assistant coach with the University of Notre Dame men’s soccer team under one of his mentors, the legendary Bobby Clark.

Ndlovu was the head coach of the Highlanders Football Club from 2006 to July 2008, leading the club to a CAF Africa Champions League qualification in 2006 and the CAF Confederations Cup in 2008.

Ndlovu was also the Zimbabwe national under-20 men’s head coach from 2007 to 2010, and guided that squad to the Cosafa championship in 2007 and to the Cosafa silver medal in 2008.

Ndlovu went on to found and serve as CEO and technical director of Bantu Rovers Football Club in Zimbabwe for 10 years (2008-17).

Bantu fostered sporting and academic excellence, sent players to professional leagues in Africa and beyond, and sent student-athletes to prestigious prep schools in the United States.

As CEO, he was responsible for all club operations and as technical director he oversaw the clubs’ technical staff.

He re-entered college coaching at Penn State under another of his mentors, Jeff Cook, in 2020 and helped guide the Athenas to a 9-4-3 record at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps last fall.

Ndlovu’s achievements as a co-founder of Grassroot Soccer, Inc. (GRS), a youth health, non-governmental organization that uses soccer as a tool for social change, is equally if not more impressive as those as a player and coach.

In 2010, Ndlovu was awarded the Dartmouth College Martin Luther King Social Justice Award for his vision, enthusiasm and persistence in youth health education.

Ndlovu was part of the organisation’s Africa leadership team and was The Grassroot Soccer Africa CEO when he left the organisation’s management team in 2018 to serve on the GRS Global board as a trustee.

“Trinity College stands apart in its student-centred culture, reputation for excellence in both academics and athletics, commitment to the whole person and deliberate fostering of an environment of inclusion,” said Ndlovu.

“I am truly honoured to accept the position of head men’s soccer coach at Trinity College and join the team of extraordinary coaches and staff.

“ I am grateful to Drew Galbraith, Kristen Noone and the entire search committee for selecting me for this role.”

Trinity men’s soccer finished the 2021 season with an 3-11-1 overall record and an 0-9-01 mark in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).

The Bantams have qualified for 10 NESCAC Championship Tournaments and played in the NCAA Tournament in 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1997, and 2011.

What people are saying about Methembe Ndlovu

Bobby Clark, former head coach, Notre Dame, Stanford, New Zealand and Dartmouth

“Methembe Ndlovu was one of the best players I ever coached.

“His big strength was reading the game and he brought this nicely into his role as a coach.

“It was a joy to have him as part of my staff while I was coaching at Notre Dame and he was coaching the Indiana Invaders in the Professional Development League.

“I am confident the Trinity players will enjoy having him as their coach.”

Jeff Cook, head coach, Penn State University

“Trinity College have made an inspired choice to lead their men’s soccer programme.

“Methembe Ndlovu is one of the most outstanding, knowledgeable, and thoughtful coaches that I have had the pleasure to be around.

“I know that Methembe will put his vast experience to work right away shaping the student-athletes he works with into a high functioning team.

“His commitment to the overall development of young people is unparalleled, Methembe’s impact will be transformational.

“I am very excited to follow the Trinity programme, exciting times are ahead for the Bantams.”

Brian Wiese, head coach, Georgetown University

“Methembe is that rare form of coach who has a breadth of experience that might be unrivaled in college soccer that allows him to be a great teacher of the game on the field and a great teacher of life off of it.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the program that Methembe will build at Trinity to compete in the best DIII soccer conference in the country.

“The Trinity soccer family couldn’t have found a better coach, and, truly, a better person to lead their programme.”- Trinity College

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Binga Kasambabezi marathon set to promote local tourism and community engagement

Published

5 days ago

September 4, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The inaugural Binga Kasambabezi Marathon is poised to become a flagship event in Binga, promoting local tourism and community engagement.

Recent Ncube, Local Organizing Chair for the marathon, shared the inspiration behind the event and its potential impact on the local community.

“As a preparatory marathon for the Vic Falls event, 10 wellness athletes who used to jog in the morning decided to craft the Binga Kasambabezi Marathon,” Ncube explained.

Event Details
– Route and Distance: “The marathon starts at the Binga Freedom Square and the same venue acts as the finishing line,” Ncube stated.
– Participant Numbers*: The organizers expect around 1500 participants.
– Support Systems: “We have five hydration stations manned by AFC, Netone, Kmtc and others,” Ncube revealed.

Cultural Significance and Community Engagement
The marathon will be accompanied by a cultural festival, featuring traditional events. “On the 26th of September we have a full dish of cultural events such as Chilimba, Ngoma also displays by herbalist, curvers, weavers and traditional games by schools,” Ncube added.

Future Plans
This year’s event marks the 8th edition of the marathon, and the organizers plan to continue hosting it annually. “We will continue to assert Binga district as the place to be yearly,” Ncube emphasized.

The Calenders

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Parliamentary caucus calls for Unemployment Benefit Scheme for young athletes

Published

3 weeks ago

August 21, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

In a session of the Zimbabwean Parliament on Tuesday, Stanley Sakupwanya, Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus on Youth Affairs, urged the government to implement an Unemployment Benefit Scheme specifically for former athletes who represented Zimbabwe on the global stage.

His address highlighted the challenges faced by young sportspeople who forgo education and career opportunities to pursue their athletic dreams, only to find themselves without support once their sporting careers conclude.

Sakupwanya began his remarks by celebrating the recent certification of the National Sports Stadium by the Confederation of African Football, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing the sports sector. However, he expressed concern about the broader needs of young people participating in various sports, noting the lack of adequate support and resources.

“While we commend the initiatives focused on football, it’s critical to remember that our youth engage in many disciplines,” Sakupwanya said.

He pointed out that athletes often sacrifice their education and well-being at an early age, with a 29-year-old athlete facing retirement instead of the traditional educational opportunities available to their peers.

He painted a vivid picture of the struggles faced by these young athletes, stating, “When they shine on international platforms, they return home only to encounter a void. Their accolades fail to translate into sustainable opportunities or support.”

Sakupwanya emphasized that without a structured program like the Unemployment Benefit Scheme, these individuals risk falling into poverty or becoming susceptible to drug abuse due to inactivity and economic hardship.

His proposal called for the Ministry of Finance to prioritize an Unemployment Benefit Scheme in the upcoming 2026 Budget Strategy Paper, which would serve as a critical safety net for athletes transitioning to civilian life, enabling them to rebuild and reintegrate into society successfully.

In a supportive response, David Mnangagwa, the deputy Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion, acknowledged the validity of the call for such a scheme. He expressed his commitment to advancing discussions on employment benefits tailored towards youth development and sports, indicating the government’s readiness to explore solutions that uplift young athletes.

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Rest In peace ‘Fire’: Tendai Ndoro passes away

Published

3 weeks ago

August 18, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY SOCCER LADUMA

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.

“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.

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.

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.