Orlando Pirates have agreed a termination of contract with injury prone central defender Olisa Ndah, the club said on Thursday.
Ndah had struggle to regain his place after return from injury, particularly with the rapid rise to prominence of defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Lebone Seema.
He would have expected to have a chance to get back in the starting line-up with Mbokazi’s move to Chicago Fire, but Pirates’ first game back after the mid-season break at Sekhukhune United last weekend saw coach Abdeslam Ouaddou pick Nkosinathi Sibisi and Seema as the centre back pairing.
Thank You, Ndah!
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) January 29, 2026
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“The Nigerian international requested an early release from his contract, a decision that follows careful and respectful discussions between the player and the club’s management,” said a statement from Pirates.
“Central to these conversations was a shared understanding to afford Ndah the opportunity to secure regular game time elsewhere as he enters the next phase of his career.”
Ndah, 28, joined the Buccaneers in 2021 and quickly established himself as a commanding presence at the heart of defence, but he had two serious injuries during this time at the club which saw him lose his place.
“Over the course of more than 80 appearances at the Club, Ndah consistently embodied the values of Orlando Pirates. On the pitch, he was dependable and disciplined; off it, he was a model professional who represented the badge with distinction,” the club statement continued.
“The club respects Ndah’s desire for increased minutes on the field and acknowledges his honest engagement with management throughout the process. It is in this spirit of mutual respect that an amicable decision was reached.
“Orlando Pirates would like to thank Olisa for his professionalism, dedication and service to the Club. We wish him every success in the next chapter of his career, both on a personal level and in his continued journey in the game,” it concluded.