HARARE — Football fans at Heart Stadium witnessed a poignant tribute on Friday afternoon as Yadah FC and Ngezi Platinum Stars observed a moment of silence in honour of the late Tendai Ndoro, a former Warriors forward whose passing has deeply saddened the Zimbabwean football community.

The solemn gesture took place just before kickoff of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Matchday 26 fixture, in line with a directive from the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Earlier in the week, the PSL had announced that all teams participating in Matchday 26 would pause to remember Ndoro, recognizing his contributions to the sport and the joy he brought to fans throughout his career.

“This gesture is a tribute to Ndoro’s contribution to Zimbabwean football, where he distinguished himself as a talented player who entertained fans during his career,” read the PSL’s official statement. “The PSL extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the entire football community. May his soul rest in peace.”

Players from both sides stood in silence as the stadium fell quiet, with fans joining in the moment of reflection. The tribute was widely acknowledged by officials and supporters alike, underscoring the impact Ndoro had on the game and the legacy he leaves behind. 

Following the tribute, the match proceeded with high intensity, culminating in a 3–2 victory for Ngezi Platinum Stars. Despite the competitive spirit on the pitch, the atmosphere remained respectful, with the memory of Ndoro casting a reflective tone over the afternoon’s proceedings.

Ndoro, remembered for his flair and goal-scoring prowess, played for several clubs locally and abroad, and was a key figure in the national team setup during his prime. His death has prompted an outpouring of grief and remembrance across Zimbabwe’s football circles.

The PSL’s coordinated tribute across all fixtures served as a powerful reminder of the unity and respect within the football fraternity, and the enduring legacy of one of its brightest stars.

A dramatic incident occurred at Dynamos’ training session in Belvedere on 21 August 2025, when team manager Harry Lusengo, who is also the son of the club’s board chairman, allegedly blocked the team bus from leaving the training ground, per reports.

Witnesses said Lusengo parked his private vehicle at the entrance of the Christ Ministries training facility, preventing the bus from exiting after the players had completed their session. He reportedly instructed the players to disembark and find their own transport, causing confusion among team members and staff.

With Lusengo refusing to move his car, the players were reportedly forced to walk to the main road to catch public transport, while officials at the training ground called the police. At the time of the incident, Lusengo was reportedly still seated in his vehicle awaiting law enforcement authorities.

One source at the scene said, “We tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. The players had no choice but to leave the bus and find their own way home.”

In response to the incident, Dynamos Football Club issued an official statement, describing the situation as “uncalled for and inappropriate”. The statement confirmed that Lusengo, a member of the club’s technical support staff, has been suspended from conducting any business related to the team with immediate effect.

The club further assured stakeholders and the general public that concrete measures have been put in place to prevent a repeat of such an incident, and that players and coaches remain focused ahead of their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League home match against GreenFuel at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

Zimbabwe’s hopes of hosting international football at home have suffered another blow after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed its earlier clearance of the National Sports Stadium (NSS).

The Harare venue, which had only recently been granted conditional approval to host preliminary CAF inter-club matches and youth qualifiers, has now been returned to the banned list. This means Simba Bhora’s CAF Confederation Cup fixture, previously scheduled for the NSS in September, may be forced to move outside Zimbabwe.

The reversal comes just months after CAF had allowed the stadium to stage Category 2 fixtures while upgrades continued. At the time, senior national teams like the Warriors and Mighty Warriors were still required to play their games abroad due to outstanding compliance issues.

Zimbabwe is not alone in this setback. CAF also struck off stadiums in Benin, Gambia, Niger, Sudan and Madagascar, joining a growing list of African nations without an approved home venue. Already, countries such as the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Eritrea, Guinea Conakry, Lesotho, Namibia, Sao Tome, Seychelles, Sierra Leone and Somalia have been forced to host “home” fixtures outside their borders.

The latest decision highlights CAF’s tough stance on stadium standards across the continent and underscores the ongoing infrastructure challenges facing African football.