Mamelodi Sundowns transfer: What must happen for Olisa Ndah to join the Brazilians

Olisa Ndah’s proposed move to Mamelodi Sundowns appears to have reached a dead end, but the transfer could still happen if certain conditions are met, Afrik Foot reports.

The Super Eagles defender is available on a free transfer after leaving Stellenbosch, while Sundowns remain interested in strengthening their defence ahead of another CAF Champions League campaign. The stumbling block, however, has little to do with finances or the player himself.

Instead, the PSL’s regulations are the biggest obstacle. Here is a breakdown of everything that must happen before the former Orlando Pirates defender can join the African Champions.

How Olisa Ndah can join Mamelodi Sundowns

1. Sundowns must create a foreign-player slot

As per Footy Africa, Ndah’s agent, Mike Makaab, is sure a transfer will not happen because of the PSL’s foreign-player slot rule.

PSL regulations allow clubs to register only five foreign players, and Sundowns have already filled those positions with Marcelo Allende, Arthur Sales, Brayan Leon, Miguel Reisinho and Nuno Santos.

That means Ndah cannot be registered unless one of those players leaves.

Whether through a permanent transfer, contract termination or another form of squad restructuring, Sundowns would need to free one overseas slot before completing the deal.

At present, there is no indication the club plans to offload any of those five players, making this the biggest hurdle.

2. Ndah must become a local player

Having spent five years playing in South Africa between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch, Ndah is now eligible to begin the process of obtaining South African citizenship through naturalisation.

If successful, he would no longer count as a foreign player. That would instantly remove the registration issue and allow Sundowns to sign him without sanctioning a sale.

The problem is timing. Citizenship applications are rarely completed immediately, and Sundowns may not be prepared to wait while the new season is already underway.

Mike Makaab has already confirmed Ndah’s priority is to continue playing somewhere on the continent after the Sundowns move stalled.

That means clubs competing in the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup could move quickly to secure his signature while Sundowns remain restricted by registration rules.

With no transfer fee involved, Ndah is one of the most attractive defensive options currently available on the transfer market.

Despite his injury struggles over the past two seasons, Ndah remains one of the PSL’s most experienced defenders.