Mike Makaab, the agent of Super Eagles outcast Olisa Ndah, has shared details of how the defender missed out on a big move to Europe. Makaab said the 26-year-old has been attracting strong interest from clubs abroad but injuries have always been a barrier.
Ndah is currently one of Nigeria’s most consistent defenders playing outside of Europe, with his impressive performances at the back helping to propel Orlando Pirates to third place in the South African top-flight.
Since breaking out in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in 2014, Ndah went on to have a four-year stint in Malta before returning to his homeland to play for Remo Stars and Akwa United, where he won the league.
Ndah joined Orlando Pirates in August 2021 and has seen his reputation soar over the last two-and-a-half years due to his consistent displays for the Buccaneers. Although the defender has often been linked with a move away from South Africa, none seems to materialise and his agent has now explained why.
Injuries deny Olisa Ndah Serie A move
According to Makaab, who runs the agency ProSport International and represents Ndah, the Nigerian defender has been the subject of several inquiries from clubs in the Serie A, Major League Soccer (MLS) and Belgium.
He disclosed that niggling injuries have prevented Ndah from having a consistent run of games in recent months, and therefore, hampered any potential move. Makaab, however, expressed confidence that his client would overcome these challenges to regain his best form.
“He is very unfortunate. Every time Olisa seems to find his best footing, he ends up with these niggling injuries. Thank God [they are] not serious, but they are disruptive,” Makaab said, as quoted by Soccer Laduma.
“They disrupt your rhythm as a footballer. Let me tell you; when Olisa has been playing and consistently doing well, we've had real interest from clubs outside our borders.”
Makaab added: “This is not just talk. There was interest from the Italian Serie A. There was interest from the MLS. There was interest from Belgium. So, there's been real interest in him. Sadly, he has not had this consistent run of games where he has been able to show what he did when he first came here to South Africa.
“But, like all footballers, you go through a period of all these unfortunate things. God willing, everything will settle and soon we will see the best of Olisa. He still has another two years (left on his contract) after this (season).”
Olisa Ndah continues to knock on Super Eagles’ doors
While Ndah’s club career has blossomed in recent years, his international career has yet to take off. The former Sliema Wanderers rearguard was part of the Nigeria side that featured at the 2019 U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He was also included in the Super Eagles squad for the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and came on as a substitute in his country’s last group game against Guinea-Bissau. Ndah has since been capped just one more time and hasn’t played for the national team in over two years.
The 26-year-old will, however, be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Stanley Nwabali, who usurped Francis Uzoho to become Nigeria’s number-one goalkeeper despite playing for South African side Chippa United. Ndah’s chances of getting a recall to the Super Eagles squad have also been boosted by the team’s limited options in defence due to injuries.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to resume in two months, captain William Troost-Ekong is currently facing a long injury layoff, while Zaidu Sanusi has also been ruled out for the rest of the season and is unlikely to recover in time for June’s assignments. Jose Peseiro and caretaker coach Finidi George barely noticed Ndah but perhaps a new Super Eagles coach could finally grant the defender the chance he’s been waiting for.
