Seven months after his last appearance for Orlando Pirates, former Nigerian Premier League defender of the season Olisa Ndah has returned to full training and is in contention for his first start under manager Jose Riveiro since his last game before he picked up an injury in February's Soweto derby vs local rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
The former Akwa United defender came on in the 65th minute for ten man pirates in a substitution which saw Thembinkosi Lorch taken off for more defensive strength following the sending off of captain and defender Innocent Maela who got red carded after failing in an attempt for a last minute tackle. Ndah would unfortunately end up scoring the game's decisive goal which was an own goal via a second of defensive miscommunication with his goalkeeper Sipo Chaine before going on a long break with an injury.
However, months later the Buccaneers defender returned and first of all made an appearance on the bench in Orlando Pirate's first leg MTN8 semi final first leg which they won at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town thanks to goals from Zakhele Lepasa (66') and Deon Kavendji (90+4') in a 2-1 victory as they strive to defend a title won last year, Jose Riveiro's first Orlando Pirates trophy as well.
Ndah was pictured in training today as well as the team prepares for their next test which will be a first leg of their second round preliminary game in the 2023 CAF Champions League which will be away at the Botswana National Stadium in Gabarone, Botswana this Sunday having already overcame Comoros outfit Djabal in a 4-0 aggregate win in the first round preliminaries.
Whether he will start or not in either Botswana or South Africa will be a decision made by birthday boy Jose Riveiro ahead of his centre back colleague such as the likes of Thabiso Monyane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki, Paseka Mako or Sandile Mthethwa but what's more important will definitely be the eagerness of Buccaneers around the world to see their beloved Olisa Ndah back in action as soon as possible.
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