Nigeria call Orlando Pirates star
It is named a call-up in football although it is done via email. Orlando Pirates’ Olisa Ndah has been selected for his national team Nigeria.
OLISA NDAH CALLED-UP
Following the exit of coach Finidi George, Nigeria have appointed Bruno Labbadia from Germany. With two games against Benin and Rwanda in the AFCON qualifiers in September, Orlando Pirates’ 26-year-old central defender Ndah will be part of it.
Additionally, Chippa United’s goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has also been given the nod in the 23-man squad.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)
Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England).
ORLANDO PIRATES COACH JOSE RIVEIRO ON BAFANA BAFANA
In other news, seven Buccaneers have been listed in the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad and coach Jose Riveiro is pleased.
According to the Spaniard, Orlando Pirates players need the experience to compete in international games, as one of his players returned from Afcon 2023 with new maturity and self-belief.
“I think it’s important for them, and hopefully, we can have those seven players and more in the future. It’s very important to have the opportunity to play those games. It also gives you the responsibility to represent your national team,” Riveiro said via FARPost.
“Obviously it’s going to push you to mature and have the capacity to play in those kinds of games [high competitive games].
“I think one clear example is Evidence Makgopa. I think his performance after the last AFCON, the player that we got back, is a different one. This is in terms of maturity and self-confidence.
“So, I would like to see the names of our players in the Bafana Bafana list. Definitely, that kind of experience is going to help them as individuals and us as a team,” the Orlando Pirates tactician concluded.
Full list of selected players:
- Sipho Chaine – Goalkeeper
- Thabiso Monyane – Right Back
- Nkosinathi Sibisi – Central Defender
- Thalente Wandile Mbatha – Central Midfielder
- Relebobile Mofokeng – Winger
- Patrick Maswanganyi – Attacking Midfielder
- Evidence Makgopa – Striker.