Ndlovu turns his back on Zimbabwe

Ndlovu turns his back on Zimbabwe

DESERTER: Ndlovu has turned back on Zimbabwe

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S national football team captain Peter Ndlovu appears to have dumped his country for South Africa, reports said last night.

The authoritative Kick Off magazine reports that Ndlovu has applied for South African citizenship in a shock development which could put a dramatic end to his international career.

Zimbabwean law forbids nationals from holding dual citizenship. By law, Ndlovu will cease to be a Zimbabwean when he gets his South African citizenship papers.

Ndlovu joined South African club Mamelodi Sundowns in July last year after over a decade playing in the English premier league and first division.

The 32-year-old striker is married to South African pop diva Sharon Dee who is understood to be in England, expecting Ndlovu's second child.

"Peter Ndlovu will no longer play as a foreigner after applying for South African citizenship," Kick Off reported. "The Zimbabwe international has applied for South African citizenship and is awaiting documents before he starts playing again"

Kick Off quoted Sundowns coach Angel Cappa, who confirmed the former Highlanders, Coventry City, Birmingham and Sheffield United man had applied for South African citizenship.

The move is thought to be designed to open up a fourth spot for another foreign player to get into the squad in line with premiership regulations which limit the use of foreign players to four per club.

"Peter is not playing because he is awaiting his citizenship papers," Cappa said. "He is married to a local girl (Sharon Dee) and decided to take up citizenship which is good. But he is still a big member of my team."

The shock decision to take South African citizenship will, at the least, lose Ndlovu the captaincy of the Zimbabwe national team and could even see him dropped, our Sports Editor Oswald Sibanda said last night.

"If you consider that Charles Mabika was switched off radio for apparently being unpatriotic during a football commentary when we played the Nigerians, Ndlovu's actions will most certainly be seen as something of a treasonous move," said Sibanda -- a former Highlanders, Wankie and Masvingo United player.

New Zimbabwe.com understands Ndlovu has a pre-contractual agreement with top South African sports channel Supersport to front their World Cup coverage in 2010 when South Africa hosts the event.
What do you think of Peter Ndlovu's decision to seek foreign citizenship, can he still be our national captain? Send your shouts to ozzie@newzimbabwe.com
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