Olisa Ndah Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates centre-back Olisa Ndah will remain with the Soweto giants for the 2023/24 season, according to his agent Mike Makaab. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

AFCON latest: Nigeria select Orlando Pirates star in squad

Nigeria have selected Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah in its 28-man squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

Olisa Ndah Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates centre-back Olisa Ndah will remain with the Soweto giants for the 2023/24 season, according to his agent Mike Makaab. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Nigeria have selected Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah in its 28-man squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

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Ndah is one of nine defenders to have been selected in the Super Eagles’ squad for the tournament which will kick off on 9 January and conclude on 6 February 2022.

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The other eight defenders are: William Ekong (Watford/ENG), Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes/SPA), Leon Balogun (Rangers/SCO), Shehu Abdullahi (AC Omonia/CYP), Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor/TUR), Jamilu Collins (Paderborn/GER), Ola Aina (Torino/ITA), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto/POR)

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Ndah, 23, joined the Buccaneers ahead of the current DStv Premiership season from Nigerian club Akwa United.

He has played 13 matches in all competitions to date for Orlando Pirates.

He is yet to make his debut for his native Nigeria.

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Nigeria have been drawn in tough-looking Group D at next year’s AFCON, alongside Egypt, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.

AFCON is gearing up for its start against a backdrop of persistent rumours that it could be called off or postponed after already having been delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Europe’s top clubs have threatened to refuse to release their African players for the event due to concerns over the Covid-19 health protocol.

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Nigeria AFCON squad:

Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs/RSA), Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia/CYP), Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam/NED), John Noble (Enyimba)

Defenders: William Ekong (Watford/ENG), Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes/SPA), Leon Balogun (Rangers/SCO), Shehu Abdullahi (AC Omonia/CYP), Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor/TUR), Jamilu Collins (Paderborn/GER), Ola Aina (Torino/ITA), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto/POR), Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates/RSA)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City/ENG), Kelechi Nwakali (Huesca/SPA), Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Frank Onyeka (Brentford/ENG), Joe Aribo (Rangers/SCO)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk/TUR), Moses Simon (Nantes/FRA), Odion Ighalo (Al Shabab/KSA), Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin/GER), Alex Iwobi (Everton/ENG), Victor Osimhen (Napoli/ITA), Sadiq Umar (Almeria/SPA), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City/ENG), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal/SPA), Emmanuel Dennis (Watford/ENG)