By Dayo Awoniyi
Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah has returned to full training with South African club Orlando Pirates after nearly a year out with a serious leg injury, in a development that offers a timely boost for both club and country ahead of key fixtures.
Ndah, 26, had been sidelined since September 2024 following a fracture to his tibia and fibula, an injury that ruled him out of action for several months. His return marks a significant step forward in his recovery and comes as Nigeria prepares for the decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff round.
The centre-back’s presence is expected to strengthen Pirates’ defensive options as the club enters a crucial phase of their domestic and continental campaigns. Head coach José Riveiro is likely to ease Ndah back into action gradually as he rebuilds match fitness.
At the international level, Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is expected to monitor Ndah’s progress closely, with the playoffs on the horizon.
Ndah has been a key figure in Nigeria’s defensive line in recent years, known for his composure, positioning, and aerial strength.
While he is not expected to return to full competitive action immediately, his recovery has reignited hopes that he could play a role in Nigeria’s push for a place at the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Ndah’s comeback adds further depth to the Super Eagles squad and offers a timely morale lift as the team builds toward one of its most important qualification campaigns in recent memory.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
