Olisa Ndah, who is one of the most influential players for Orlando Pirates, in the past had experienced one of the Soweto derbies to forget, and now the Siya crew has learnt of how he was able to bounce back.
Following the defeat for Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in February 2023 after Ndah turned his header into his own net in the 1-0 loss, the defender appeared to have been affected by the incident as he struggled for game time subsequent to the incident.
Read: Khanye On Soweto Derby: Who Has The Upper Hand?
When he finally came back fully this season and was made the captain of the side as he continued from the notable progress he made with his performances and improved game time from last season, the centre-back never looked back until he was disrupted on his progress by injury.
As confirmed by the Buccaneers, the 27-year-old is on his way back to fitness again, having recovered from injury, and his father Ndubuisi Ndah, who is a former Super Eagles defender has explained how he helped him to come back after the unfortunate Soweto derby incident.
"Immediately after that match, I called him on the phone, and I told him that the incident should not bring him down. I can vividly tell you that in my first game for Rangers (in Nigeria), I scored an own goal. It was like heaven was let loose and everybody was saying I should go back to where I came from. I was seen as a small boy who didn't deserve to play for a team as big as Rangers," Ndah Senior said, speaking exclusively to the Siya crew.
Read: Light At The End Of The Tunnel For Chiefs Keeper
"I stood my ground, and I was training as hard as I could. So, I told him (Olisa) to train much harder than he had been doing. I told him to keep on doing what he was doing and that his time would come. I told him that when he started playing again, everybody would start shouting his name again in support. By telling him how it went with me, I was encouraging him, and I am happy he came back strong. For me too, I ended up being the captain of the team despite initially having had people saying I should go away. Even today if you go to Enugu and ask them about Ndubuisi Ndah, they will say he was one of our greatest. I left a mark on the walls of Enugu Rangers, and I believe that he too can leave a mark, and he has almost done that. As far as people of South Africa are concerned, Olisa Ndah has now become a household name and I'm proud to be his father," concluded Ndah.
While the Bucs defender is unlikely to return for this Saturday's derby as he continues to work with the fitness trainer on the sidelines, indications are that he could soon be available for selection into Jose Riveiro's matchday squads in the coming weeks.
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