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Peter Ndlovu turns 53
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Today, 25 February 2026, marks the 53rd birthday of Peter Ndlovu, a trailblazer in Zimbabwean football and current team manager of Scotland FC. Born in Bulawayo in 1973, Ndlovu's career has left an indelible mark on both the national and international football stage.
Capped 100 times for the Zimbabwe national team, Ndlovu scored 38 international goals, cementing his status as one of the nation's most prolific players. His most historic achievement came on 22 August 1992, when he became the first African player to feature in the English Premier League, coming off the bench for Coventry City against Tottenham Hotspur.
Before his move to England, Ndlovu played for Highlanders FC, where his talent caught the eye of scouts John Skillet and Terry Butcher, who ultimately secured his transfer to Coventry City. In his debut season, he made 32 appearances and scored seven goals, averaging a goal every 325 minutes.
One of the highlights of Ndlovu's Premier League career came in March 1995, when he scored a hat-trick against Liverpool FC at Anfield. In doing so, he became the first opposition player to net three goals at the iconic stadium - a record that stood until April 2009 when Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin surpassed it.
Widely regarded as the greatest Zimbabwean footballer of all time, Ndlovu not only set a benchmark for aspiring players but also placed Zimbabwe on the global football map. His historic journey from Bulawayo to the English top flight remains an inspiring story for generations of African footballers.
Happy Birthday to a true legend of Zimbabwean football, Peter Ndlovu.
Capped 100 times for the Zimbabwe national team, Ndlovu scored 38 international goals, cementing his status as one of the nation's most prolific players. His most historic achievement came on 22 August 1992, when he became the first African player to feature in the English Premier League, coming off the bench for Coventry City against Tottenham Hotspur.
Before his move to England, Ndlovu played for Highlanders FC, where his talent caught the eye of scouts John Skillet and Terry Butcher, who ultimately secured his transfer to Coventry City. In his debut season, he made 32 appearances and scored seven goals, averaging a goal every 325 minutes.
One of the highlights of Ndlovu's Premier League career came in March 1995, when he scored a hat-trick against Liverpool FC at Anfield. In doing so, he became the first opposition player to net three goals at the iconic stadium - a record that stood until April 2009 when Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin surpassed it.
Widely regarded as the greatest Zimbabwean footballer of all time, Ndlovu not only set a benchmark for aspiring players but also placed Zimbabwe on the global football map. His historic journey from Bulawayo to the English top flight remains an inspiring story for generations of African footballers.
Happy Birthday to a true legend of Zimbabwean football, Peter Ndlovu.
Source - online
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