Thirty years ago on Friday, Peter Ndlovu made an important piece of Premier League history for Africa.
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.
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.
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.
Africa provides ‘some of best players in the world’
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Source: BBC Africa
