Footy-Africa can confirm that Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah has completed his move to Libyan side Al Shomooa SC, ending a five year spell in South African football.
The 28 year old centre back has signed a two year contract with Al Shomooa and will now begin a new chapter in his career after leaving Stellenbosch at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Ndah’s decision to move to Libya came after interest from Mamelodi Sundowns, but a source close to the player has revealed to Footy-Africa that Al Shomooa’s financial offer ultimately proved too attractive to turn down.
“Al Shomooa gave him an offer he could not refuse. It was better than what Sundowns were offering,” the source said.
Ndah arrived in South Africa in 2021 after leaving Nigerian club Akwa United to join Orlando Pirates.
He quickly established himself at the Soweto giants and went on to make 81 competitive appearances during his four and a half years with the club, winning four trophies. His time at Pirates also helped him earn recognition with the Super Eagles.
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His stay at Pirates was eventually affected by injuries and increased competition for places. A serious leg injury kept him out for several months before he gradually lost his place in the defensive pecking order.
Ndah left Pirates by mutual consent in January 2026 and joined Stellenbosch, but his time at the club was also disrupted. He made only seven appearances after difficulties with his work permit limited his involvement. His contract expired at the end of the season without an extension.
A return to one of South Africa’s biggest clubs appeared possible when Mamelodi Sundowns showed interest in the defender.
However, according to the source who spoke with Footy-Africa, the proposed move was complicated by the Premier Soccer League’s foreign player regulations.
The source said Sundowns were prepared to wait until the end of September, when Ndah was expected to become eligible for South African citizenship and would therefore no longer be affected by the foreign player restriction.
But the financial terms on offer were not considered attractive enough for Ndah to take the risk of waiting.
“The offer from Sundowns was not great enough to require that kind of risk from him,” the source told Footy-Africa.
That opened the door for Al Shomooa, who offered Ndah a more attractive financial package and a clear sporting role.
The source also said Ndah was encouraged by the growth of Libyan football and the increasing number of established African players choosing the league.
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The presence of players such as South African attacker Thembinkosi Lorch, as well as several Nigerian players who have recently moved to Libya, was seen as another positive factor.
But money was not the only reason behind Ndah’s decision.
Al Shomooa reportedly presented him with an ambitious sporting project and promised to build a competitive team around him with the aim of challenging for the Libyan league title.
That ambition appealed to Ndah, who is now expected to play a major role in the club’s push for domestic success.
The move also gives the defender an opportunity to put a difficult period in South Africa behind him and regain regular playing time.
After winning four trophies with Orlando Pirates and earning international recognition during his time in the country, Ndah will hope his move to Libya can provide the fresh start needed to revive his club career and strengthen his chances of returning to the Super Eagles fold.
