Why Ndah chose Al Shomooa SC over Sundowns

Olisa Ndah turned down Mamelodi Sundowns after Al Shomooa SC offered him a deal that, financially, was too attractive to refuse.

The Nigerian defender has signed a two-year contract with the Libyan club, ending a five-year run in South African football. A source close to the player told Footy-Africa, “Al Shomooa gave him an offer he could not refuse. It was better than what Sundowns were offering.”

Ndah first moved to South Africa in 2021, joining Orlando Pirates from Akwa United. He made 81 competitive appearances for the Soweto club over four and a half years, won four trophies and earned recognition with the Super Eagles. Injuries and increased competition for places later affected his position at the club.

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Al Shomooa gave him an offer he could not refuse. It was better than what Sundowns were offering.

He left Pirates by mutual consent in January 2026 and joined Stellenbosch. A work permit dispute limited him to seven appearances, and his contract expired without an extension. Sundowns then expressed interest, but the move became complicated by the Premier Soccer League’s foreign-player regulations. The club was prepared to wait until the end of September, when Ndah was expected to qualify for South African citizenship and become exempt from the restriction. The financial terms, however, did not justify the risk for the defender. “The offer from Sundowns was not great enough to require that kind of risk from him,” the source said.

Al Shomooa’s growing reputation and its links to South African forward Thembinkosi Lorch and several Nigerians in the Libyan league also helped its case. The club presented Ndah with a project built around challenging for the domestic title. He now hopes the move will provide a fresh start and help him return to Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles plans.

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