Ndubuisi Ndah, former head coach of Nigeria National League (NNL) side Edel FC Awka, has exclusively told CompleteSports.com that he feels exceptionally “happy and proud” to be identified as the father of Super Eagles defender Olisa Ndah.
Ndah Snr was a product of the famous St Patrick’s College, Asaba, Delta State. He once played for and captained Enugu Rangers International after a brief spell at the now-defunct Premier Breweries FC, Onitsha.
A centre-back during his active days, Ndubuisi Ndah captained the (now late) Coach Willy Bazuaye’s U23 Dream Team during the qualifiers for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games before Nwankwo Kanu was invited to camp ahead of the crucial return leg of the final qualifier against Kenya, tagged the “Battle of Mombasa.”
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Nigeria won the game 3-0 after a goalless draw in the first leg at home. From that famous return leg, the Dream Team I captain’s armband moved to “Papilo” Nwankwo Kanu.
Ndubuisi Ndah previously coached Collin Edwin FC, Lagos, a Nationwide League One side, which he guided to the NNL. He also coached FC One Rocket, another NNL side, before being appointed last month as head coach of Edel FC following the departure of former manager Willy Udube.
CompleteSports.com caught up with the fair-skinned gaffer at Rojenny Stadium, Oba, near Onitsha, on Wednesday during the quarter-final clash between Edel FC and Obosi United in the 2025 NEROS/Anambra FA Cup.
Ndah was all smiles as he responded to questions about his playing career and his transition into coaching. He also spoke about the immense pride he feels for his son, Olisa Ndah.
“I’m always filled with joy and pride each time I’m identified as Olisa Ndah’s father,” Atalanta 1996 Olympics gold medallist, Ndah Snr, told CompleteSports.com.
“It gives me joy to be the father of a Super Eagles player. I played for the U23 Eagles, and I also played for the Super Eagles. Having my son follow the same career path by representing Nigeria, his fatherland, is a great source of pride. In fact, I’m always proud of that.”
Although Ndubuisi Ndah never played abroad, his son, Olisa, has broken that barrier, having featured for clubs in Malta and now playing for South African giants Orlando Pirates. He has also earned four caps for the Super Eagles.
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“I was a central defender during my playing days, and Olisa has taken after me by also playing in the centre-back position. If you say it’s ‘like father, like son’, that’s okay,” Ndah said with a smile.
“But one thing is clear—football, and sports in general, runs in our blood through my father.”
Asked about life as a coach compared to his playing days, Ndah acknowledged the stark contrast between the two roles.
“As a player, I was always on the pitch, taking instructions from my coach. But now, as a coach, I stand alone in the dugout, giving instructions to the players, facing the heat from spectators, the club’s management, and all that.
“So, you see, they are two different scenarios. But I love it, and I chose to venture into it,” he concluded.
By Sab Osuji
