Peter Ndlovu in critical condition as brother dies in Zimbabwe crash

Former Premier League forward Peter Ndlovu was in a Bulawayo hospital with serious injuries last night after a car crash which claimed the life of his brother and fellow Zimbabwe footballer Adam.

Peter Ndlovu, 39, had playing spells in England with Coventry, for whom he starred in the top flight, plus Birmingham, Huddersfield and Sheffield United, before returning to African club football in 2004.

The skilful attacker left Highlanders in his homeland to join Coventry in 1991 and stayed with them until 1997. He was capped 100 times by Zimbabwe.

The crash that caused his brother’s death occurred late on Saturday night and a statement yesterday from League One side Coventry said that club was “saddened” by the news.

“It has been reported that both were travelling from an away match between Chicken Inn FC and a local side when Ndlovu’s car suffered a tyre blow-out which caused the car to veer off the road 20 kilometres outside Victoria Falls.

“Ndlovu achieved iconic status during his six years with the Sky Blues where he netted 39 goals in 176 [league] appearances for the club. Coventry City sends its best wishes and condolences to the Ndlovu family who will be in our thoughts.”

A spokeswoman for the Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo, where Peter Ndlovu was being treated, said she could offer no details of his condition, following reports he had broken both legs.

Ndlovu’s former agent Winston Makamure told BBC Sport: “Peter is now out of danger. He is now conscious and is communicating. He has internal injuries, head injuries, broken ribs and a broken leg.” Adam Ndlovu, who was 42 years old, also began his playing career with Highlanders before moving to Europe, in his case spending seven years in Switzerland between 1994 and 2001, culminating in a spell with FC Zurich.

Peter Ndlovu’s second club in England was Championship side Birmingham, who released a statement which read: “The thoughts of everyone associated with Birmingham City Football Club are with Peter Ndlovu and his family following news of a serious car crash in Zimbabwe.

“Peter was a very popular player during his time at St Andrew’s and we hope he pulls through this difficult time.”

Ndlovu made 137 appearances and netted 28 times in all competitions for the Blues.

He joined Huddersfield on loan over the winter of 2000-01, scoring four goals in six games for the Yorkshire club, and
left Birmingham on a permanent basis in February 2001 when he joined Sheffield United on a free.

He played 154 times for the Bramall Lane club, scoring 29 goals, and left them in July 2004 when he returned to African club football.

The Blades released a statement on their official Twitter feed which read: “Our thoughts are with former player Peter Ndlovu, who has been critically injured in a car accident in his native Zimbabwe.”