Kaizer Chiefs Tribute to Chris Rollaway Ndlovu

 

Kaizer Chiefs has payed tribute to the late legendary footballer Chris “Rollaway” Ndlovu, describing him as a “quiet” person, but “let his feet do the talking” on the field of play.

In his heyday, Ndlovu played as a midfielder-cum-defender first for Pimville United Brothers (Pubs) and moved to Moroka Swallows, thereafter he joined Chiefs before retiring in the early 1980s. He died last Saturday.

The great Ndlovu, also represented his country during the dark days of apartheid for the SA Black XI, a select team of the 1970s.

The team was some form of a select national side, representing the black population and had matches organised against neighbouring countries like Swaziland and Lesotho and Botswana, as well as overseas teams, to the chagrin of the ruling white minority National Party government.

The biggest “international” match Ndlovu played, in the green and gold colours of the “national team”, was against Argentina, where he made a huge mark after scoring and spearheading the team to that historic victory.

In the representative “national” team he played with greats such as Matsilele “Jomo” Sono, the late Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe and Cyprian “Mahala” Maimane, among many others.
At Pubs, where Ndlovu started his professional career, he played alongside other notable legends, including George “Best” More, Hamilton “Shakes” Mbuyane and George Makapan, to name just a few.

Chiefs said in a statement Ndlovu was “clever and fast, using this attribute to ‘roll away’ from his opponents. Hence, the nickname, ‘Rollaway’”.

“Ndlovu was born in Pimville in Soweto on August 31, 1945, and it was only natural that he would play for the local soccer giants, Pubs. The intelligent attacking midfielder made his name as a soccer star at this club,” said Amakhosi in the statement.

“However, when Pubs got into financial trouble in 1974, most of the players decided to leave. While a majority of their stars joined Orlando Pirates, Ndlovu came to Chiefs in 1975, staying at the club for four seasons.

“Our manager Ewert Nene convinced him to join Chiefs,” remembers Amakhosi’s former goalkeeper Joseph ‘Banks’ Setlhodi. “We actually thought that Chris would join Pirates, like the others. But Ewert was amazing, he got things done and convinced Chris to join Chiefs instead.

Ndlovu’s twin brother, Isaac “Negro’” Ndlovu was also a strong midfielder, playing for Pubs. While a majority of their stars joined Orlando Pirates, Ndlovu came to Chiefs in 1975, staying at the club for four seasons.
“Our manager Ewert Nene convinced him to join Chiefs,” remembers Amakhosi’s former goalkeeper Joseph ‘Banks’ Setlhodi. “We actually thought that Chris would join Pirates, like the others. But Ewert was amazing, he got things done and convinced Chris to join Chiefs instead.

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