FORMER Mamelodi Sundowns skipper Esrom Nyandoro is reportedly close to winding up his stellar football career at the South African giants.
Having arrived at Chloorkop during Gordon Igesund’s era as head coach in the 2004/2005 season, a year after winning the league title with AmaZulu, Nyandoro was named the Jet/Rookie of the Year in his debut season.
He then won two league titles with the club in the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons, additions to various personal accolades, notably the President’s Award for commendable behaviour on and off the field of play.
Nyandoro, now 35, then captained Sundowns as they lifted the 2008 Nedbank Cup with a 1-0 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces, but has seen little game time in the last two seasons under Pitso Mosimane as the former Bafana Bafana coach looked to inject fresh legs into the squad.
“What I can tell you that is Esrom has decided to hang up his boots. He has contributed a lot to the team and he feels that now is the right time to look at life outside of football,” a Sport24 source said. “It will, however, depend on the team on what they will do with Nyandoro when he stops playing.”
It has been rumoured that he could be given some managerial position or a post in the development structures of the club.
For now, the senior team is managed by Warriors legend Peter Ndlovu and has three other Zimbabweans on their books — Kuda Mahachi, Khama Billiat and Cuthbert Malajila.
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All three played for the Warriors on Saturday as Zimbabwe beat Malawi 2-1 in the Group L opening 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier at Kamuzu Stadium with Malajila scoring the opener after 22 minutes and Billiat hitting the winner eight minutes from time.
With the transfer window opening on July 1, there is sure to be some movement especially for Zimbabwean players based in South Africa.
Former Warriors skipper and AmaZulu goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini has extended his stay at National First Division side Highlands Park after signing on a short-term deal in January.
Energy Murambadoro, who replaced Kapini at AmaZulu, is seeking new pastures after the Durban outfit was relegated from the top-flight, while Carlington Nyadombo is set for a move next month after being suspended early in the year.
At Mpumalanga Black Aces, the news is always Tendai Ndoro’s purported move to Orlando Pirates.
Ndoro, like the rest of the team, reported for pre-season training last Monday as per new coach Muhsin Ertugral’s orders, but missed the opening day to deal with some housekeeping issues.
And that caused a furore with the South Africa media reporting that it was protest to demand to be released to join Pirates.
In a statement on their official website, Aces said: “The player window only opens on 1 July and as a club, we want to protect the interests of our players and urge our fans to get the official news on our own Black Aces media platforms.
“Aces will release a full statement on all personnel in a week’s time.”
New Warriors captain Willard Katsande might complete a double this week if he is named Kaizer Chiefs captain.
Tefu Mashamaite and Itumeleng Khune have left the club together with coach Stuart Baxter and a Press conference has been slotted in for tomorrow.
