The South African Premier Soccer League witnessed a unique Nigerian showdown on Wednesday night at the Orlando Stadium as two Super Eagles players, Olisa Ndah and Stanley Nwabali, captained their respective teams in a high-octane encounter.
Ndah’s Orlando Pirates triumphed 2-1 over Nwabali’s Chippa United in a game that had both Nigerians starting the game.
It was a special night for Nigerian football as both Ndah and Nwabali led their teams onto the pitch, marking the first time in recent history that two active Nigeria internationals have captained different teams in a top-flight South African league match.
Andile Jali opened the scoring for Chippa United in the 22nd minute, giving them the advantage in the first half. However, Pirates quickly responded with a goal from Tshegofatso Mabasa, who levelled the score just before halftime.
The second half saw Monnapule Saleng score the decisive goal, sealing the victory for the visitors and handing Ndah the bragging rights in this battle of Super Eagles.
Super Eagles' leaders on South African soil
Olisa Ndah and Stanley Nwabali have both become integral to their respective clubs in recent seasons, earning the trust and responsibility of wearing the captain's armband. Ndah, who joined Orlando Pirates in the 2021/22 season, has grown into a key figure at the heart of the Buccaneers’ defense.
His steady performances and leadership qualities have seen him rack up an impressive 79 appearances for the team.
This season, he stepped up as the club’s full-time captain, with club captain Innocent Maela relegated to the bench.
On the other side of the pitch, Nwabali’s journey has been equally impressive. The former Enyimba and Lobi Stars goalkeeper joined Chippa United in 2022, and his excellent performances between the posts quickly elevated his status within the team.
His rise culminated in his appointment as the team’s captain this season, and he has already amassed 39 appearances for the club, cementing his place as one of the top shot-stoppers in the South African league.
Both Ndah and Nwabali have also been involved in Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, further highlighting their progress in Nigerian football.
Nwabali started both Super Eagles qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda, while Ndah featured as a substitute in the Benin fixture.
Their roles in the national team are indicative of their consistent performances at club level, and they are expected to play key parts in Nigeria's campaign at the upcoming AFCON and World Cup qualifiers.
