Coventry welcomes another ‘Bulawayo Bullet’ as Matt McNab switch clubs

 BY SPORTSCAST WRITER

HARARE – Sables star winger Matt McNab has signed for Coventry Rugby Club after leaving fellow English Premiership side Doncaster Knights, moving to a city where another Zimbabwean, Peter Ndlovu, made his historic breakthrough in football more than three decades ago.

Bulawayo-born McNab (27) is joining his third Champ Rugby club with an impressive record in the second tier of England’s rugby system, having made 71 appearances in the league and scoring 35 tries.

“I’m super excited to be joining Coventry Rugby Club at this stage of my career, especially building towards the World Cup next year with Zimbabwe,” McNab said.

“From speaking with the coaches and hearing about the club’s ambitions and where they see me fitting in, I really feel this move is going to help develop my skill set and push me on as a player.

“This next season is such a crucial one for me as I work towards making squads and teams for the World Cup, which has always been a massive goal and milestone in my career. I feel Coventry is the perfect environment to help me grow and prepare for that challenge.

“I can’t wait to get started, meet the boys, and get going with my new teammates.”

McNab will be hoping to leave a mark on Coventry in the same way as another Bulawayo native and fellow speedster, former Zimbabwe captain Peter Ndlovu, who was signed by football club Coventry City in 1991 to become the first African player in the re-branded English Premiership.

Nicknamed the Bulawayo Bullet by some Coventry City fans, Ndlovu became a firm fan favourite at the club, where he spent six years and is best remembered for being the first foreign player to score a hat-trick away to Liverpool at Anfield.

Coventry rugby fans who follow their city’s main football club will welcome McNab with fond memories of Ndlovu, who also hails from Zimbabwe’s second largest city.

McNab attended Whitestone Primary School in Bulawayo and Falcon College near his hometown. He is the nephew of former Zimbabwe rugby international Charlton McNab.