Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah has described his failed Europe stint as a nightmare he wouldn’t wish on anyone.
The talented centre-back cut his teeth in his home State of Delta, where he played for the Delta Stars Academy before earning a professional contract with the main team of Delta Stars in 2014. At the time, the team was playing in Nigeria’s second tier.
It didn’t take long for Ndah to be noticed, and in 2015, he joined NPFL side Sharks FC of Port Harcourt. With the Sharks, he had his first taste of disappointment as the team got relegated from the NPFL.
NDAH’S BITTERSWEET EXPERIENCE
“It was a bittersweet experience. I had finally succeeded in playing in the NPFL, just like my father. However, it was a very tough season as we got relegated to the second division on the season’s final day. It was heartbreaking, but the whole Sharks experience toughened me up,” he told FARPost.
Nonetheless, his elegant performance for the Sharks didn’t go unnoticed, as he soon got offers to play in Europe and joined Sliema Wanderers in Malta.
However, the move to Malta was not fruitful, as Ndah failed to make a single appearance in two years for Sliema Wanderers, Hamrun Spartans and Sirens.
Injuries blighted Ndah’s spell in Malta, and the defender describes it as ‘very dark times’.
“It was so tough for my family and me. Here I was, happy that I had finally moved to Europe, but then I kept having injury setbacks and could not play. It was a nightmare. One I wouldn’t wish to anyone.”
Returning to Nigeria was inevitable, and after a few months of recuperating, Ndah signed for second-tier Remo Stars.
TRIUMPHANT RETURN
It was a triumphant return to Nigeria as he played a pivotal role in helping Remo Stars gain promotion to the NPFL. However, his stay at Remo Stars was cut short as he joined Akwa United in 2019.
While playing for Akwa United, he got his first call-up for the National Under 23 side. After winning the league with Akwa, Pirates came knocking, and the 24-year-old could not resist the Buccaneers’ charge. The Super Eagles defender is in his second season with Pirates and recently won the MTN8 Cup.
This interview was conducted by Diegwu Nwankor, a Nigerian journalist based in Nnewi, Anambra State, south-east Nigeria.
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