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Kaizer Chiefs slammed over Katsande

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JOHANESBURG – Veteran midfielder Willard Katsande still had more value than Bernard Parker at Kaizer Chiefs and was deserving of a better sending off, says one of his countrymen.

Katsande completed 10 years of service at Chiefs after joining from Ajax Cape Town in 2011, but found himself saying goodbye at Naturena on Monday after being called into a sudden meeting by club football manager Bobby Motaung the previous day.

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The 35-year-old was packaged in with Philani Zulu, Kgotso Moleko and Brylon Petersen in the list of players that are leaving.

“It was an awful way of sending him off after 10 years of service to the club. I felt the sending off should have had some respect,” says retired fellow Zimbabwean Charles Yohane.

Yohane went through a similar experience at Wits University, where he spent a decade before being pushed out in 2006. 

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“With Willard having been the senior player that he was, his sending off shouldn’t have been like that of any other player that they decided not to keep,”  he said.

“Chiefs already knew that they will not keep Willard, so I feel they should have let him know about it in advance rather than waiting to let him know at the last minute like they have done now.

“Where does he go next? Even if they are offering him something within the club, should he now make a hasty decision?

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“Chiefs should have prepared him for this instead of just dumping him just like that. Chiefs showed no compassion for Willard.

“How do you release a player after playing in a Champions League final? Chiefs had been his home for 10 years and earned his respect but now he had to be treated like he is old and useless.

“I don’t think all of this is sitting well with him, and there is no way he would be in a good space considering how this all happened.

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“I feel Willard still had more value in that team than [Bernard] Parker.  

“I don’t understand how Chiefs show so little respect for someone who gave his heart for 10 years.

“He was playing regularly for all those 10 years and suddenly he is pushed out just like that at the last minute.

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“How are other players going to be motivated to stay long if the reward is that you will be treated this way at the end? I don’t think it was a matter of Willard not being able to play anymore.

Whenever he played, he gave his all, including in the recent CAF Champions League semi-finals and finals.

“Maybe Willard was treated this way because he is a foreigner because this is the same thing that happened to Tinashe Nengomasha after 10 years with the club.

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Nengomasha was not finished upon leaving Chiefs and this tells me that at Chiefs, you can never retire there as a foreign player, they will send you away regardless of what you did for the club.” – Kick Off

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Parliamentary caucus calls for Unemployment Benefit Scheme for young athletes

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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

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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.

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Zimparks, VFWT join forces to rescue snared elephant

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A dramatic rescue operation was carried out last week by the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, in collaboration with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks), to save a young female elephant from a wire snare.

According to a statement posted by the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust on Facebook:

“Last week, we received an urgent call from Zimparks about a young female elephant in distress—a wire snare was tightly wrapped around her mouth and tusks.”

The elephant was spotted near Masuwe Lodge, where her herd was peacefully drinking at the waterhole. Acting swiftly, the trust’s team carefully separated the distressed elephant from her herd and darted her, allowing them to remove the snare and collect vital health samples.

Thankfully, the wire hadn’t cut deeply, and the young elephant was soon back on her feet, reunited with her family.

The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust expressed gratitude to Zimparks and Adrian Read for their dedication to protecting wildlife, saying:

“Thank you to Zimparks and Adrian Read for their dedication to protecting our wildlife.”

 

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