PHOTO CREDIT: Punch Newspaper / Orlando Pirates FC
Why Olisa Ndah Picked Libyan Club Al Shomooa SC Over Mamelodi Sundowns

Super Eagles defender, Olisa Ndah has opted for a move to Libya, joining Al Shomooa SC despite strong interest from South African champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.

The 28-year-old signed a two-year deal with Al Shomooa, bringing an end to his five-year stint in South Africa after leaving Stellenbosch at the end of the 2025/26 season.

According to reports, the decision came down to finances. A source close to the player told Footy-Africa that Al Shomooa’s package was too good to reject compared to what Sundowns were putting on the table.

Ndah first moved to South Africa in 2021 from Akwa United to join Orlando Pirates. During his four-and-a-half years with the Soweto giants, he made 81 competitive appearances, won four trophies, and broke into the Super Eagles squad, before injuries and competition for places affected his time at the club.

He left Pirates by mutual consent in January 2026 and joined Stellenbosch, but a work permit issue restricted him to just seven appearances before his contract expired.

Sundowns were keen to sign him, but the move was complicated by the PSL’s foreign player limit. The club was reportedly willing to wait until the end of September when Ndah would be eligible for South African citizenship, but the defender felt the offer was not worth the risk.

Al Shomooa’s ambitious project of challenging for the Libyan league title, plus the presence of familiar faces like South African forward Thembinkosi Lorch and other Nigerian players in Libya, also convinced him to make the switch.

The move will now offer Ndah a fresh start after a tough two years, as he eyes a return to Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles setup.

SOURCE: Punch Newspaper –