Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah captains Pirates to MTN 8 semi-final first-leg draw

Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah marked his return to the Super Eagles squad with a captain’s performance as he led Orlando Pirates to a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Cape Town City in the first leg of the MTN 8 semifinal.

The 26-year-old former Akwa United centre-back showcased his leadership and defensive prowess, guiding his team to a valuable away result.

In a match that highlighted Ndah’s importance to the Buccaneers, Orlando Pirates took the lead in the first half through Relebohile Mofokeng. However, Cape Town City mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, denying Ndah and his teammates a clean sheet with an equalizer that set up an intriguing second leg at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Ndah’s performance was widely praised by fans, who described his display as “solid” on social media. Despite conceding the equalizer, his leadership at the back was crucial in securing the draw, which leaves Orlando Pirates in a strong position for the return leg.

Wearing the captain’s armband, Ndah etched his name in the club’s history books as only the third Nigerian to captain the prestigious South African side, following in the footsteps of Sam Pam and Wilson Okpara. This achievement underscores Ndah’s importance to the team and the trust placed in him by the coaching staff.

Ndah’s standout performance comes on the heels of his recall to the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, after a long absence. New Super Eagles coach Bruno Labbadia included the defender in his 23-man squad for the upcoming AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, marking a well-deserved return for Ndah, who had been absent from the national team setup since 2022.

As Orlando Pirates prepare for the second leg of the MTN 8 semifinal, Ndah will be looking to lead his team to the final. His recent form and the boost from his national team call-up could prove pivotal in Orlando Pirates’ quest for silverware.