Super Eagles players Olisa Ndah and Stanley Nwabali were in action during Orlando Pirates’ hard-fought 2-1 win over Chippa United at the Orlando Stadium.
Ndah captained Orlando Pirates in their opening game of the South African Premier League, while Nwabali stood between the posts for Chippa United. Both Nigerians have been key to their teams in previous seasons and were expected to continue their fine form in the new campaign.
Chippa United started strong, with Abdile Jali scoring the opener in the 22nd minute. However, Nwabali was unable to keep out Tshegofatso Mabasa’s penalty, which leveled the score in first-half stoppage time after Mabasa was brought down in the box.
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Orlando Pirates dominated the second half with relentless pressure, but their efforts were thwarted by Chippa United’s resilient defense. Ndah had a solid chance, but his attempt didn’t trouble Nwabali. Ultimately, Monnapule Saleng secured the winning goal for Orlando Pirates late in the game, ensuring all three points for the home side.
Despite being on the losing side, Nwabali delivered an impressive performance, making five saves, four of which were from inside the box. He stood out as Chippa United’s best player on the night. Meanwhile, Ndah had a stellar showing with a 95% pass accuracy and two key blocked shots, helping his team claim victory.
This victory gives Orlando Pirates a strong start to their Premier League campaign, with both Ndah and Nwabali showing their quality as key players for their respective teams.
