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Peter Ndlovu: Scoring Africa’s first Premier League goal is still ‘special’ for Zimbabwean

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BY MARK GLEESON

Thirty years ago on Friday, Peter Ndlovu made an important piece of English Premier League history for Africa.

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Then still a teenager, the former Zimbabwe international became the first African to score in the rebranded English top flight, netting for Coventry City in a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday on 2 September 1992.

The winger had joined Coventry from Highlanders a year before, and had already set a continental appearance milestone when he came on for John Williams in Coventry’s Premier League away victory at Tottenham Hotspur on 19 August 1992.

Ndlovu is delighted to be remembered as the first African to play in the division – and says his continent’s contribution to the worldwide appeal and success of the league has been enormous.

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“I’m sure I was told then, ‘Do you know that you’re the first African to play in the Premier League?’.

I probably just said ‘OK’ and didn’t give it anymore thought,” Ndlovu, 49 and now based in South Africa, told BBC Sport Africa.

“The thing for me was that I was just playing football.

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“But when you see now after all these years, it’s very special when you’ve started something for African players to come after me.

“I’m just so proud of all of them that they have made [the Premier League] better and we can see that many of the big money players (English clubs) are buying now are Africans.

Bulawayo-born Ndlovu spent more than a decade in English football, first forming a dangerous partnership with Micky Quinn and staying at Coventry until a £1.6m move to second-tier Birmingham City in 1997.

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He also played at Huddersfield Town, on loan, and Sheffield United, while representing Zimbabwe’s national team for 16 years – which included appearances at two Africa Cup of Nations finals.

“It’s history, great memories and all good times. I appreciate that people always remember the good things and the first time an African played in the EPL,” Ndlovu, now the team manager of South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, said.

Africa provides ‘some of best players in the world

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Since Ndlovu made his Premier League debut at the old White Hart Lane, some 300 Africans have followed in his footsteps in what is widely regarded as the best league in world football.

“What I like about all the 300 that have come after me, you can say they’ve even added value and represented the continent very well,” he said.

“You can see how much the standards have gone up compared to the time when I started. It’s a very good league and we support it all the time.

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“Also, with the large number of players playing in the Premier League, as well as all over the other leagues, it shows that Africa is the provider of some of the best players in the world.”

Ndlovu says his time in England was the making of him as a man.

“Well, when I went there first it was just like, ‘I’m going to play football’.

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“Then I realised how much it had changed my life, changed my perception about the football, changed the way that I would act.

“It made me a better person, it made me understand what success was all about, what football is all about. And when I started concentrating, I became a better person, not only a better footballer, but a better person in life.

Ndlovu netted 34 Premier League goals – which all came for Coventry – and remains the highest-scoring Zimbabwean in England but he has since been far surpassed in the all-time list of African marksmen.

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Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah leads the way on 122 goals, with now-departed Sadio Mane on 111 and former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba on 104.

Yet it is a former Ivory Coast team-mate of Drogba who stands out for Ndlovu as Africa’s best export to the Premier League.

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“Yaya Toure represented Africa with pride,” Ndlovu said.

“He was an all-rounder. What I liked about him was he could score, head, dribble and do everything. He was a complete player.”

Ndlovu, who will turn 50 next February, still looks as slim and trim as he did in his playing years, albeit with a touch of grey in his hair.

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He has been at Sundowns for over a decade, first as a player in the twilight of his career and then as part of the club’s administration.

While many players from across Africa dream of their own move to the Premier League, Ndlovu will always be remembered for his place in its history. – BBC

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In the community

Domestic violence takes a deadly turn: Hwange woman’s violent outburst lands her in jail

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BY STAFF REPORTER

A 19-year-old woman from Makwika Village has been sentenced by the Hwange Magistrate’s Court for domestic violence and assault after a violent incident occurred on June 2, 2025.

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The court heard that the woman assaulted her husband after he confronted her over messages on her phone. She slapped him, grabbed his private parts, dragged him into the kitchen, and poured boiling water on his lower body, causing serious injuries.

A concerned neighbor who attempted to intervene was also burnt with boiling water on her chest and hospitalized.

The woman was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for domestic violence and 24 months imprisonment for assault. However, 12 months of the assault sentence were suspended for 5 years on condition of good behavior, and the remaining 24 months were suspended on condition of performing 630 hours of community service.

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The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has condemned the violent act, emphasizing that violence, whether in the home or community, is unacceptable.

“The law applies equally to all, and offenders will be held accountable,” said the NPAZ. “We encourage citizens to resolve disputes peacefully and report abuse immediately.”

 

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In the community

Teenager sentenced to 18 months for knife attack on minor

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BY WANDILE TSHUMA

The Bulawayo Regional Court recently sentenced a 19-year-old male from Nkayi’s Maphosa Village to 18 months imprisonment for attempted murder after a violent knife attack on a 15-year-old boy at Gwamayaya Business Centre.

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Allegations are that on April 18, at approximately 23:00 hours, the offender entered a shop at the business centre, causing a commotion. When customers attempted to calm him down, he became aggressive and charged at the victim, stabbing him in the left side of the stomach with a knife.

The victim was rushed to the hospital for medical attention, while the offender was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

In court, the offender was convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. However, six months of the sentence were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the remaining 12 months were suspended on condition that he performs 410 hours of community service.

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The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has condemned the violent act, urging young people to resolve conflicts peacefully and encouraging communities to play a role in early intervention.

“Violence is never the answer. Every life matters – walk away, don’t escalate,” said the NPAZ in a statement.

 

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Fastjet launches Bulawayo to Victoria Falls flights

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Fastjet Zimbabwe is set to expand its domestic route network with the introduction of flights from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, starting August 8.

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The new route will operate four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

According to Nunurai Ndawana, spokesperson for Fastjet Zimbabwe, “The new Bulawayo to Victoria Falls flight strengthens our presence in Bulawayo and underscores our commitment to the development of tourism region.” Ndawana added, “Our four times a week flights will offer more travel opportunities and support both leisure and corporate travel between the two cities, reaffirming our position as a key airline partner in connecting the Matabeleland region.”

Vivian Ruwuya, Fastjet Zimbabwe’s Chief Commercial Officer, noted that “This has been a long time coming. We have been monitoring the development and traffic trends between the manufacturing city of Bulawayo and our tourism hub of Victoria Falls. The introduction of a scheduled service is a result of widespread consultative engagements and collaboration with key players in the industry.”

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Fastjet Zimbabwe will deploy its Embraer fleet on the new route, offering customers a comfortable flight experience. The flight schedule is as follows:

– BUQ-VFA Flight FN8111: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, departing Bulawayo at 13:25 and arriving in Victoria Falls at 14:20.
– VFA-BUQ Flight FN8112: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, departing Victoria Falls at 14:50 and arriving in Bulawayo at 15:45.

 

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