Peter Ndlovua historic former Premier League footballer who currently works as a coach, has declared before a court that He cannot pay child support for his 13 children..
The 53-year-old former player, who played for Coventry City, Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United throughout his career, was sued in 2016 by the mother of two children whose existence he was unaware of.
I earn a monthly salary that is used for my own living expenses. I cannot afford a deduction of 1,600 euros per month from my salary
The woman demanded from Ndlovu, who played 13 years in Great Britain (154 games and 32 goals in the Premier League), a monthly payment of more than 1,500 euros.
I have 13 children, including the two I have with the first respondent. I am obligated to contribute and cover the support needs of my 13 children.
In 2023 the Johannesburg High Court ruled that the retired player had to pay him 600 euros per month, regardless of payments to his other 11 children born from different relationships.
In 2026 Peter Ndlovu faces allegations of failure to pay child support of one of his sons, allegedly filing for unemployment despite having recently landed a job at a Premier Soccer League club.
“The defendant did not inform me about the pregnancies or subsequent births of our children”
“I have 13 children, including the two I have with the first defendant. I am obliged to contribute and cover the support needs of my 13 children… The defendant did not inform me about the pregnancies or subsequent births of our children. The last I heard about the children was when she filed a support claim against me in 2016. There is no communication between the defendant and I. We have no relationship or contact,” acknowledged the former player who was capped 100 times with Zimbabwe.
In his appeal he highlighted that “I earn a monthly salary that is used for my own living expenses, needs and responsibilities, as well as to contribute to the expenses of my dependents and other obligations. I simply cannot afford a deduction of 1,600 euros per month from my salary.”
Peter Ndlovu, first African to score in the Premier League, rejected a salary of 5 million from Arsenal
Peter Ndlovu made history by becoming the first African player to play (August 19, 1992) and score a goal (September 2, 1992) in the Premier League.
It was very special that a team like Arsenal wanted me, but I was already the favorite of the Coventry fans and I wanted to give something more back to those who supported me
In 1993 Peter Ndlovu refused to sign for Arsenal in exchange for a transfer of 5 million eurosand preferred to stay at Coventry City.
“Bobby Gould told me: ‘Peter, Arsenal are calling you’. But, being a child at that time, I replied: ‘Boss, I’m happy here’. That was my goal. It was very special that a team like Arsenal wanted me, but I was already the favorite of the Coventry fans and I wanted to give something more back to those who supported me,” he recalled.
He finally left Coventry in 1997 to sign for Birmingham City for around 2 million euros.
