Olisa Ndah: Middle East transfer looms for Super Eagles star after Stellenbosch exit

Olisa Ndah for the Super Eagles

Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah could be heading to the Middle East following the expiration of his contract at Stellenbosch, Soccernet.ng reports.

​The last two years have been tumultuous for the 28-year-old center-back. When he first burst onto the scene as a key figure in the Akwa United side that won the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title five years ago, he was widely expected to achieve great things in the game.

​Ndah earned a high-profile move to South African giants Orlando Pirates in 2021, where he quickly established himself as a reliable starter.

However, his progress stalled two years ago due to a series of recurring injuries. The extended time on the sidelines led to a loss of form, and eventually, the Buccaneers parted ways with him in January.

​He soon secured a move to another South African top-flight side, Stellenbosch, signing a six-month deal with an option for a one-year extension. Unfortunately, after making only seven appearances during the recently concluded campaign, the club decided to cut ties with him at the end of the season.

Soccer What Next For Olisa Ndah?

​Following his recent lack of consistent playing time, Ndah faces the challenge of proving he can still perform at an elite level. As it stands, he has not been linked to any other South African top-flight clubs.

​In a recent interview with Soccer Laduma, his agent, Mike Makaab, revealed that while there is interest from the Middle East, they remain cautious due to security concerns in that region. He noted that they are currently weighing all available options.

​”Ndah is free. We will look at opportunities for him within the borders of South Africa and beyond,” Makaab stated.

​”There is interest in the Middle East, but my only concern is the instability in that territory at the moment. The current situation creates havoc for football—similar to what we have seen in Sudan, where civil unrest forces leagues to pause or games to be played in neutral countries. It is incredibly unsettling for players.”

​Makaab remains optimistic about the future, adding, “We are evaluating opportunities both inside and outside South Africa, and we are confident that we will find a solution for Olisa within the next couple of weeks. The good news is that he has fully recovered from his nagging injuries.”

​With the World Cup currently underway, Ndah has ample time to weigh his options. While the “Middle East” is a broad region, making it difficult to pinpoint a specific league, it is likely that, having spent the last five years in South Africa, he may prefer to remain there.

​Ndah, who has earned three caps for the Super Eagles, was a member of the squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Kelvin Omachonu

Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.