Orlando Pirates’ Nigerian defender, Olisa Ndah, could be set for an early exit from the Soweto giants as reports indicate that his ongoing battle with injury may rule him out for the foreseeable future.
The 26-year-old center-back, who joined Pirates in 2021, has been plagued by recurring fitness issues that have significantly limited his appearances over the past two seasons.
Ndah, once a solid presence in the Buccaneers’ defense and a key contributor to their domestic and continental campaigns, has struggled to return to full fitness after sustaining a long-term knee injury.
Despite undergoing rehabilitation and multiple attempts to regain match readiness, his recovery has not gone as planned — raising concerns within the club’s technical team about his long-term viability in the squad.
Sources close to the club have hinted that management is now weighing the possibility of releasing Ndah before his current contract runs its full course.
Although there is no official confirmation yet from the club, insiders suggest that a mutual termination of the contract is being considered — a move that would allow both the player and the team to move forward without prolonged uncertainty.
Should he part ways with the club, it would be a disappointing end to what once promised to be a fruitful partnership. Ndah was instrumental during his debut season, helping Pirates tighten up defensively and contributing to several clean sheets.
His composure on the ball and tactical awareness had even drawn interest from European clubs at one point.
As things stand, the Pirates are likely to assess their options at the end of the current season, taking into account Ndah’s medical prognosis and the club’s broader squad-building plans.
For Ndah, the priority remains regaining full fitness — whether to continue his journey in South African football or to explore new opportunities elsewhere.
Fans and football pundits alike will be watching closely, hopeful that the talented defender can make a full recovery and return to the pitch, even if it’s no longer in the black and white of Orlando Pirates.
