Ndah declares he's ready for Pirates' return after injury layoff
Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah says he is ready for the new season. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
After recovering from his long-term injury, Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah has declared his readiness for the upcoming season.
Ndah spent several months sidelined with a recurring injury last season. The Nigerian centre-back missed the club's pre-season training camp in Spain.
WATCH – Pirates poke fun at Chiefs over MTN8 failure
However, after finally making the full recovery and starting training with the rest of the team, the Super Eagles defender says he is eager to return to competitive action for the Buccaneers.
'I'm ready to go. It's been a long time out, and I had to go through a lot of rehabs,' Ndah told eNCA.
'Honestly, it feels like I'm playing for the first time again because it's been so long. Just being able to train with the team again has been a great feeling.'
With the MTN8 coming up this coming weekend, where Pirates are at home in Orlando against Polokwane City FC, Ndah admitted he missed the matchday experience during his time on the sidelines.
'I've missed the fans, the stadium atmosphere, everything. Heading into the MTN8, we know how important it is. Every competition matters, but right now, we're taking things one day at a time.'
As Pirates begin their MTN8 title defence on Saturday with a quarterfinal clash against Rise and Shine, Ndah is optimistic that the Buccaneers can create another record by winning it for the fourth time on a trot.
'I don't mind winning it over and over again. The feeling never changes. This is a big club with high expectations, and this season, we're going for everything.'
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the new Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou this weekend to see if he can replicate the start of his predecessor Jose Riveiro and win the MTN8 in his first season in charge of the Buccaneers.
Riveiro, who joined the Buccaneers in 2022, won the competition that same year, edging AmaZulu 1-0 in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Monnapule Saleng scored the only goal of the match.
The Spaniard went on to win the MTN8 in 2023 and 2024.
ALSO READ: Kekana backs Sundowns stars for top individual PSL awards
Just like when Riveiro arrived in 2022, there's skepticism around Ouaddou's appointment as a Pirates coach, with many expressing doubts if he is a capable replacement for Riveiro, who left the Buccaneers to join Egyptian giants Al-Ahly.
What better way to silence those doubters than by winning the MTN8 on the first attempt?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
'Kaizer Chiefs are ready to compete': Sundowns legend hypes Amakhosi
Former Mamelodi Sundowns captain Hlompho Kekana has been impressed with Kaizer Chiefs and tipped them as a team to watch this season. Amakhosi spent three weeks in the Netherlands for their pre-season where they played several friendly matches with Dutch teams. In the five matches, Chiefs only won once but it was their performance that left fans uninspired. On Saturday, Nasreddine Nabi's men went down 3-2 on penalties to Asante Kotoko in the Toyota Cup. Kekana though, feels Kaizer Chiefs were impressive during the match and were unlucky not to win this past weekend. 'I've seen a better Kaizer Chiefs. I've seen a team that wants to win football matches,' Kekana told Soccerzone . 'I've seen distances in the midfield. I've seen distances as a team in the structure. You can tell this is a team that wants to compete this season,' he added. Amakhosi fans will have to wait until 10 August until their see their players in action for the first time this season. The MTN8 kicks off this weekend but for the second season running, the Glamour Boys will not be in the competition having finished outside the top 8. With six new players signed, Kaizer Chiefs will look to start the season strongly when they face Stellebosch FC in their opening Betway Premiership encounter on 10 August. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Appollis faces former club as Buccaneers begin MTN8 title defence
Oswin Appollis could debut for Pirates against his old club Polokwane City in Saturday's MTN8 clash. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Oswin Appollis could well make his official debut for Orlando Pirates against his former club Polokwane City this weekend. The two clubs clash in the MTN8 quarter-final at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with the Buccaneers as defending champions and aiming to win the competition for a record-extending fourth season in a row. A marquee signing for the Buccaneers during the off-season, the Bafana Bafana winger is expected to play a key role as Pirates aim to end their lengthy league title drought by toppling the dominant Mamelodi Sundowns. First, though, he must prove his worth in the famous black and white colours by helping the Soweto giants retain the season-opening trophy. BTS from our 2025/26 Home & Away Kit shoot 📸 📍 Available now at the Orlando Stadium 💻 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 ☠️ ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 29, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading That his former club provides the first hurdle is sure to test Appollis' sentiments towards City. This, after all, is a club he served diligently and with distinction over several years, only for them to block a big-money move abroad when a club from North Africa showed strong interest. Locally, both Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs were eager to sign him, with the latter pursuing him for two successive seasons. At one point, the Capetonian was even frozen out of matches — a move widely condemned across the local football fraternity, which viewed club boss Johnny Mogaladi as being unfair in denying the player a deserved opportunity on a bigger stage. Eventually, City relented — but not to Chiefs. Instead, Appollis signed for their fierce rivals, Pirates. The winger has looked every bit the Buccaneer during pre-season in Spain and is expected to form a dynamic combination with starlet Relebohile Mofokeng. BTS from our 2025/26 Home & Away Kit shoot 📸 📍 Available now at the Orlando Stadium 💻 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 ☠️ ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 29, 2025 Will that partnership be on show this weekend? And how will Appollis feel about facing his former teammates and the club that gave him his professional breakthrough, after his initial stint at SuperSport United failed to launch? Footballers worldwide often show what is called "respect" by refraining from celebrating against their former clubs. We saw this last season when Vincent Pule scored for SuperSport United against Pirates but opted not to celebrate, even as his teammates erupted with joy. Appollis, by nature, is a fairly reserved character who doesn't go overboard when he scores. Having already expressed gratitude to City for the opportunity they gave him to shine and earn national team honours, it's highly likely that any celebration from him — should he score — will be muted. That said, do not expect him to hold back or show sympathy towards his former side. He is a Buccaneer now — a consummate professional who will give everything to ensure the defending champions move on to the next stage. Given his status as the club's marquee signing, he is duty-bound to produce a performance of the highest standard. The Ghost are expectant, and he cannot afford to disappoint, lest they start to feel he was money wasted. A standout display — and perhaps a small nod to the skull-and-crossbones insignia if he scores — will go a long way in winning over the Orlando Stadium faithful. It could mark the beginning of a memorable chapter at a club renowned for turning talented players into both club and national icons. Appollis has the potential to become one such player. The fact that he became a national hero while playing for modest Polokwane City speaks volumes. Now he has an even grander platform. nd what better way to announce himself than with a starring role against his former club on debut for his new one?
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates reach agreement to sell Rele Mofokeng to Saudi club
Saudi bound? Orlando Pirates have reportedly agreed on a fee to sell starlet Relebohile Mofokeng to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq. Photo: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix Orlando Pirates and Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq have reportedly reached an agreement over the sale of starlet Relebohile Mofokeng. According to KickOff, the deal for Mofokeng to move to the Middle Eastern club is close to being finalised after the two sides agreed on a €1.5 million (around R31 million) fee. "Relebohile Mofokeng, the South African Orlando Pirates player, is set to move to Al-Ettifaq after the two clubs agreed on terms," KickOff reported. "The Sustainability Committee's approval is pending before the official announcement. The transfer is valued at €1.5 million."
