Micho salutes Ndoro Tendai Ndoro
Tendai Ndoro

Tendai Ndoro

Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
AS he embarks on a new adventure in Saudi Arabia, outgoing Orlando Pirates forward Tendai Ndoro has won the praise of the Soweto giants coach Milutin “Micho’’ Sredojevic, with the Serbian gaffer labelling him a “classy player’’.

Ndoro played just 13 minutes for Pirates in their opening game of the 2017-18 ABSA Premiership season on Saturday night, before making a surprise move to Al Faisaly, who play in the Saudi Professional League this term.

The 29 year-old striker, a member of the Warriors 2017 African Cup of Nations squad, is understood to have been offered a lucrative deal in the Asian country, where he will be earning around $25 000 a month.

Micho has previously coached former Warriors and Dynamos speed merchant Edward Sadomba at Al Hilal in Sudan and said he was confident Ndoro would excel at his new club.

“I wish Ndoro all the best in his future endeavours and career. Great guy and top class player,’’ said the Serbian. “He was in my plans, I wish him all the best in his future career challenges and endeavours.’’

The Pirates coach said he would leave the task of finding Ndoro’s replacement to the club management. Pirates were held 1-1 by Baroka at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday night.

New Baroka signing Talent Chawapihwa, who played the full game, had a good show. “This is something we will look at in the coming days. The transfer window is about to close. Myself, I have to put full focus on the field of play,’’ said Micho.

“Management is looking at all things to be sorted, so I would rather speak about the field of play. We shall see what will happen up to the end of the transfer window.’’

It also emerged that Ndoro, unhappy at having fallen down the pecking order after his return from Gabon, which coincided with a dip in form, had also indicated he wanted a move away from Pirates.

But the Soweto giants were understood to be reluctant to sell him to their Premiership rivals and when Al Faisaly came knocking on the door, Pirates immediately latched onto the deal and released Ndoro. “Ndoro wasn’t happy about not being first-choice striker anymore.

“He was actually pushing for a move elsewhere in South Africa and had plenty of local options. “Now this deal is a win-win for both parties. “Pirates got good money and he will earn good money too,’’ the sources said.

Ndoro, who has often grabbed attention off the field with a somewhat carefree lifestyle in Johannesburg, would have to also contend with making a quick adjustment to his way of life in a country that has so many restrictions.

But with fellow Zimbabwean Abbas Amidu making his way into the Saudi Arabian football league, Ndoro will not be short of company.

Amidu, who featured prominently for CAPS United in the Champions League after being turned into the main striker, completed his move to Al Wehda (Mecca) this week.

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