- We’ll be on toes and ready for them – Olisa Ndah
Barely one year after lifting the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title for Akwa United FC of Uyo, Nigerian international and Orlando Pirates centre back, Olisa Ndah will be back at the Nest of Champions, Uyo for the CAF Confederation Cup finals on Friday, May 20th 2022.
Olisa and the South African Pirates will be strongly supported on the same ground he lifted the 2021/2022 trophy and helped mould as a fortress last football season before joining the ‘Buccaneers’ in Johannesburg.
Pirates, the 1995 CAF Champions League winners will file out against Moroccan giant, RS BERKANE in Uyo with most Uyo fans coming to applaud and cheer the much “missed” Olisa Ndah to victory.
One of Olisa’s big fans, Mr Paul Bassey told our reporter that Akwa United is already planning a big surprise and support for the Pirates because of “their own”.
” Uyo fans are expected to come out in their numbers…but for us, we have adopted to support Orlando Pirates. Olisa played for us and it is a homecoming for him.” Akwa United FC chairman, Paul Bassey said.
On his part, the six-foot-three defender Ndah, assured Nigerian fans of a beautiful football night after contributing a commanding performance to stop Al Ahly and qualify his team for the final. Olisa was 3rd best-rated player for the Pirates with 7 over 10 points.
“Nigerian fans should expect a good game. It’s going to be a tough game. We know the opponent we are playing so we’re trying to analyse them and know how to approach the game. But it is not going to be an easy game. We can see how they played against TP Mazembe last night (Sunday night). They won 4-1 so we have to be on our toes and ready for the game.”
Olisa Ndah’s feeling was certain to boost his club performance in Uyo as most of the fans will root for his success. Besides being disciplined and humble, Olisa was respected and loved all through his 37 appearances for the Uyo based Akwa United FC.
“For, me I think we have the upper hand in terms of fans. Coming back home I’ve gotten a lot of messages and they feed me a lot of love. That’s where I won the NPFL.
“It’s going to bigger thing for me. The atmosphere is going to be nice for me. From the look of things, me and my team we are going to have a lot of support than them which is a huge boost for me when it comes to football. Supporters don’t play football, but hopefully, we have all the support we need. It will help us to win the cup.”
Akwa United FC chairman, Paul Bassey urges fans to come out in troops for Ndah and also satisfy CAF neutral group’s big challenge – filling up the stadium.
“Uyo is going to be a destination and CAF will be happy to see fans turn out to cheer these two clubs.”
