Former Warriors team manager Wellington Mpandare has rubbished the popular belief that Tendai Ndoro was reckless with money, insisting the late striker was swindled instead.
Ndoro died in South Africa at the age of 40 and was buried in Bulawayo on Sunday.
At his peak, Ndoro, who turned out for South African clubs Orlando Pirates, Ajax Cape Town, and Highlands Park, as well as a brief stint in Saudi Arabia, was one of the highest-earning Zimbabwean footballers.
In the wake of his death, social media was awash with claims that the former Zimbabwe international died a bitter man, after his ex-wife Thando Maseko allegedly took everything from him, following their highly publicized divorce.
But Mpandare, speaking at Ndoro’s funeral, claimed the late footballer was not the type to waste money and even qualified to be classified as stingy.
“I know people don’t want to hear this, but I strongly believe someone swindled Tendai. Whether it was an investment which went wrong, I don’t know, but I’m very sure he was swindled,” said Mpandare.
“He (Ndoro) was very careful with money and rarely spent. He would even ask me to buy him airtime during times when he was in camp for national team games.
“He didn’t waste money. I remember there was one time we went to Lesotho, during the days he had returned from Saudi Arabia. He confided in me that he had over US$100 000 with him and wanted to start a business.
“To my surprise, a few minutes later, he was asking me to buy him MTN airtime with my own money.
“I also remember the other time we were camped for national team games at Yadah Hotel in Harare. He asked me for money for a plane ticket to Bulawayo.
“He wanted to see his parents there, and I gave him the money for a plane ticket, but to my surprise, he traveled by bus instead.
“So Tendai was never reckless with money. I insist he was swindled by someone, and may God punish that someone,” added Mpandare.
