Peter Ndlovu was originally spotted by John Sillett, prior to his official signing from Highlanders by Terry Butcher in July 1991. He made an immediate impact by scoring away at Arsenal and then became the toast of Highfield Road with a thunderbolt winner against Aston Villa in November 1991, endearing him to the Sky Blues fans.
Although he would go on to play a major role at several clubs in the second tier, his time at Coventry will always stand out due to its top flight status. He would play a significant role in two major teams, Bobby Gould's attacking team of the early 90s and Ron Atkinson-Gordon Strachan's expansive squad of the mid-late 1990s.
Bobby Gould's team in 1992/93 must surely go down as the archetypal under-achievers. Having acquired the legendary striker Micky Quinn in November 1992 they continued what had already been a blistering start, with away wins at Tottenham Hotspur (2-0) Sheffield Wednesday (2-1) and Wimbledon (2-1) to add to already impressive home wins against the likes of Middlesbrough (2-1). By the early autumn the Sky Blues briefly topped the inaugural Premier league and would only lose five league games prior to Christmas. The addition of Micky Quinn to the squad led to further outstanding home wins against the likes of Aston Villa (3-0) and Liverpool (5-1). They would eventually go to Championship contenders Blackburn Rovers and leave with a (5-2) victory in February 1993. However, a barren March/April programme and a run in that would see back to back games against Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Leeds Utd saw them slip from 5th in the league in February to 15th by the end of May. A league position secured with a thrilling performance from Ndlovu in a last day 3-3 draw against Leeds Utd. Ndlovu was a key component throughout the season in Gould's fast pacey front line which included John Williams, Kevin Gallacher (until his departure to Blackburn) and Robert Rosario, who formed a worthy partnership with Micky Quinn. Peter Ndlovu's goal against Norwich City, in a 1-1 draw in late September, was a signature piece of Ndlovu flare which earned him the Match of Day 'Goal of the month' competition.[1]
The 1993/94 season would see a managerial shift in the autumn as Phil Neal, Bobby Gould's No.2, took over the reins from his passionate Coventry born boss but not before the legendary curtain raiser to the 93-94 season. Bobby Gould's first day gamble would be to play without traditional full backs. This novel formation gave Peter Ndlovu full licence to play a large part in a memorable opening day triumph in the capital. The 3-0 victory on a sunny 14 August, against double-cup winners Arsenal, saw Micky Quinn score a hat-trick in front of the newly refurbished North Bank. It also ensured that the Sky Blues made one of their customary lightning starts to the season, so synonymous of the early 1990s. After an early Ian Wright threat on the Coventry goal, it was Ndlovu who made a darting run into the Arsenal penalty box which produced a clumsy challenge from Lee Dixon. The resulting penalty was calmly converted by Micky Quinn for the opener. The second half would see Ndlovu and Roy Wegerle lead the Gunners defence a merry dance-Wegerle in particular enjoying possibly his finest game for the club. So shocked were Arsenal by the 3-0 defeat that manager George Graham cancelled the proposed post-match lap of honour at the final whistle, which was to parade their Coca Cola and FA Cup silverware. The explanation given by Arsenal was 'Reasons beyond the club's control!'. It is thought the Sky Blues turned down a then-massive £4 million offer from Arsenal at the end of the same 1994 season for Ndlovu's services. The dramatic resignation of Bobby Gould, after a 5-1 mauling at Loftus Road in October 1993, was reputedly inspired by the possible imminent sale of Ndlovu to a top six club. However, Ndlovu stayed but the 11th place finish secured that season was not repeated in the 94-95 campaign. Phil Neal was replaced by Ron Atkinson. Big Ron saved the club from relegation in the spring of 1995 whilst also bringing in Gordon Strachan as his player-coach No.2.
This second significant phase for Ndlovu would once again promise much; the 'new era' of big money signings heralded by Atkinson's appointment saw the arrival of Huckerby, Whelan, Salako and McAllister together with earlier signing Dion Dublin. Big Ron provided vital impetus in the spring of 95, but the following season his stylish and classy team sheet rarely 'clicked' in the traditional sense. However, Ndlovu scored some memorable goals for the Sky Blues during this period, including the first away player to secure a hatrick at Anfield for 30 years. Other memorable goals in Sky Blue included a vital winning goal away at Wimbledon in a relegation six-pointer and a dynamic last minute rifling winner in a 3rd Round FA Cup tie at West Bromwich Albion.
Ndlovu gradually suffered due to inconsistency. The large and expansive side Gordon Strachan inherited, well equipped with attacking options, saw fierce competition for places from the likes of Whelan, Huckerby, Salako and Telfer. An increasingly cosmopolitan Premier league too would eventually see Coventry turn to the likes of Steve Froggatt and Moroccan internationals Mustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo in the years following Ndlovu's departure. However, if a 'Best Of' goals compilation were ever undertaken by Coventry City, focusing on their top flight era, then Peter Ndlovu's name would figure prominently. He was known as 'Nuddy' by the die hard Coventry City fans in Highfield Road's 'West End' and as 'The 'Bulawayo Bullet' by the media of the day. A likeable and mischievous character off the pitch, Peter Ndlovu is well placed in the top flight Coventry City goalscorers table with a return of 41 goals. The 'Gould-Neal' and 'Atkinson-Strachan' tenures in the Premiership remain some of Coventry City's most exciting-and indeed frustrating-spells in top flight football.
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