Ex-Pirates star Ndah “very close” to Libyan transfer 

Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah is on the verge of completing a move to the Libyan Premier League this summer after a failed transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns, Soccernet.ng reports.

The former Orlando Pirates defender has been without a club since leaving Stellenbosch at the end of the 2025-26 season, although his future is now close to being sorted.

Ndah joined the South African club after mutually agreeing to leave Orlando Pirates, where he had spent four-and-a-half years after joining them in 2021.

The 28-year-old was initially an important part of the Pirates team and played a key role in their defence. However, fitness and injury problems affected his progress and eventually saw him lose his place in the team.

This contributed to his decision to leave earlier in the year in search of a fresh start and an opportunity to revive his career.

He enjoyed a good spell at Stellenbosch during the second half of last season, although his stay at the club was relatively short and has remained a free agent since leaving the club at the end of the campaign.

Olisa Ndah set for Libya transfer

According to KickOff, Ndah is now closing in on a move to a Libyan club, which could bring an end to the uncertainty surrounding his future this summer.

The 28-year-old had been heavily linked with a move to African champions Mamelodi Sundowns, which would have allowed him to remain in the South African top flight. However, the proposed transfer became complicated because of the league’s foreign player quota.

Ndah has been playing in South Africa since 2021 and was also close to becoming eligible to apply for South African citizenship after reaching the required five-year residency period. He was expected to become eligible to apply in next month.

That could have made a move to Sundowns easier, as obtaining South African citizenship would have meant he would no longer need to take up one of the club’s foreign player slots.

However, the move has now broken down, with Ndah instead closing in on a transfer to Libya. A move away from South Africa would also mean the Super Eagles defender would forfeit his chance to apply for South African citizenship after coming close to meeting the five-year residency requirement.

The move to Libya, meanwhile, would offer him regular playing time and the opportunity to rebuild his career after a difficult period affected by injuries and fitness problems.

Ndah is also hoping to use the move to regain his best form and potentially work his way back into the Super Eagles setup under head coach Eric Chelle.

With important matches ahead and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers set to begin next month, the 28-year-old will be hoping for a consistent run of games to put himself back in contention for the Nigerian national team.

Talks between Ndah and the Libyan club are progressing quickly, and the defender could soon complete the move as he looks to begin the next chapter of his career.