Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has given a timeline on when Olisa Ndah is expected to return from injury.
The Nigerian international has been missing in action for Pirates after sustaining a long-term injury in the first round of the previous Betway Premiership season.
Before being sidelined, Ndah had an impressive start to the 2024/25 season under then-head coach Jose Riveiro, forming a solid defensive combination with Thabiso Sesane.
The talented centre-back was also instrumental for the Buccaneers as they won their third MTN8 title in a row after defeating Stellenbosch FC in the final in October 2024.
He featured in nine matches across all competitions last season and scored one goal in the MTN8. Ndah is in the injury list at Pirates with players such as Makhehlene Makhaula, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Sesane.
In the absence of the injured centre-backs, Pirates tactician Abdeslam Ouaddou has preferred Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Lebone Seema in the heart of defence.
OUADDOU EXPECTING NDAH’S RETURN IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS
As the Soweto giants will have a busy schedule participating in the CAF Champions League and domestic competitions, Ouaddou has delivered positive news on Ndah. The Pirates coach said that Ndah will be back to full fitness in the next few days.
“Olisa Ndah is training, he’s coming back [to full fitness], and everything is going well. Hopefully, in the next few days, he will be back with us in the group,” Ouaddou said at the MTN8 press conference on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Pirates will lock horns with Sundowns in the second-leg of the MTN8 semi-final at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday [15:00]. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first-leg at a packed Orlando Stadium last weekend.
Pirates are coming to the clash against the Brazilians, having collected their first maximum points of the season with a 1-0 win against Stellenbosch FC at home, while Sundowns are also high on confidence after beating Magesi FC 2-0 at Seshego Stadium on Wednesday night.
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