Olisa Ndah: Why Super Eagles star picked Al Shomooa over Sundowns

Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah has completed a move to Libyan side Al Shomooa after leaving South African club Stellenbosch FC at the end of the 2025–26 season, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old had been without a club since leaving Stellenbosch, where he joined on a short-term deal following his departure from Orlando Pirates earlier in the year.

Ndah joined Orlando Pirates in 2021 and initially established himself as an important member of the squad. However, a series of injuries affected his progress and eventually saw him lose his place in the team, which led to his decision to leave the Buccaneers earlier in the year.

The Super Eagles defender was heavily linked with a move to Mamelodi Sundowns during the summer, with the transfer appearing close to being completed before it fell through because of the club's foreign player quota.

Sundowns were willing to wait until September, when Ndah would become eligible to apply for South African citizenship. This would have allowed him to be registered as a citizen and no longer occupy one of the club's foreign player slots.

However, rather than wait for the opportunity to join the African champions, the Super Eagles defender has chosen to continue his career elsewhere.

Olisa Ndah: Why Super Eagles star joined Al Shomooa over Sundowns

Ndah had been strongly linked with a move to Libyan outfit Al Shomooa, and he has now completed his transfer to the club on a two-year contract.

The move came as a surprise to many, especially with Sundowns still very much interested in signing him. However, a source close to the Super Eagles defender revealed that Al Shomooa's financial package played a major role in convincing him to move to Libya rather than wait until September for a possible transfer to Sundowns.

“Al Shomooa gave him an offer he could not refuse. It was better than what Sundowns were offering”, the source said, via Footy-Africa.

Ndah had the option of waiting for a move to Sundowns, which could have allowed him to remain in the South African Premier Soccer League while also applying for South African citizenship.

However, he decided that the offer from Al Shomooa was too good to turn down and the defender will now hope that the move to Libya can help him rediscover his best form after a difficult few seasons.

“The offer from Sundowns was not great enough to require that kind of risk from him.”

Money was not the only factor

Although the financial package was the biggest reason behind Ndah's decision, it was not the only factor that convinced him to join Al Shomooa.

The Super Eagles defender was also attracted by the growth of the Libyan league and the increasing number of African players moving to the country. 

He was also convinced by Al Shomooa's sporting project and the club's ambition, and the move is expected to give Ndah the opportunity to become a key player and play an important role in Al Shomooa's push for domestic success and titles this season.

After a difficult period in his career, Ndah will hope the move to Libya can help kickstart his fortunes. 

The 28-year-old will also be hoping to rediscover the form that could bring him back into the Super Eagles picture under head coach Eric Chelle.