Corrie Ndaba: 'I've been resilient my whole life and done things the hard way'

Republic of Ireland players, from left, Jaden Umeh, Mason Melia, and Corrie Ndaba after the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Qatar at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland newcomer Corrie Ndaba hopes his story of perseverance and resilience can motivate other players with lofty ambitions but who may find themselves toiling in football’s school of hard knocks.

The 26-year-old came off the bench for his Ireland debut in Thursday’s 1-0 friendly win over Qatar at Aviva Stadium, having barely featured in a green shirt at underage level, winning just one Under-18 cap, and featuring in a solitary Under-21 match squad.

From Crumlin in Dublin, he left Ireland at 16 to join Ipswich Town but never made a league appearance in his eight years there, but instead had a slew of loan spells at Hemel Hempstead Town, Chelmsford City, Ayr United, Salford City, Burton Albion, Fleetwood Town and Kilmarnock.

But a permanent move to Kilmarnock two years ago rekindled his career and led to a surprise move to Italian side Lecce where he has just helped them retain their Serie A standing for next season, after beating the drop. Getting capped by Ireland was the icing on the cake, even if he didn’t see it coming this time last year.

Ndaba said: “ Honestly? No. But you have to keep working and that's football; things can change quickly. I was putting the work in and when I went to Scotland, some people were telling me it was a bad decision but I've been resilient my whole life and done things the hard way.

“There have always been doubts but you have to keep pushing through. Even in life, never mind football, there is rejection and people might not believe in you but I'm very resilient. Hopefully this gives other kids, and other parents, the motivation that if this is your dream, keep going, keep pushing and anything can happen.” 

Ndaba continued: “Coming from Crumlin, you have to have a bit of resilience and be tough. Us Irish, that's how we are. We're very tough and I've always been that way. I take motivation from all of these players that I've seen making their debuts, or playing religiously for Ireland.” 

Growing up, Ndaba was a midfielder for Crumlin United and then Cherry Orchard’s schoolboy teams, where he was team-mates with Ireland goalkeeper Mark Travers and the Shamrock Rovers wing-back Danny Grant. 

Now, he is a defender who can play across centre-back, left-back or left-wing back, where Heimir Hallgrimsson played him.

“It's been a big culture change moving to Italy, but I can adapt to anything and put myself out there,” he said. “There's been really hard moments but I'm happy, healthy and blessed. I'm happy that I can learn in that league, playing in top stadiums against top teams and players. Hopefully I can use all my resilience and add to this squad.” 

A number of Ireland regulars are absent for these Qatar and Canada friendlies, but Hallgrimsson has urged newcomers like Ndaba to put their best foot forward for inclusion ahead of the Nations League and, particularly, with Euro 2028 coming to these shores and Ireland determined to be there.

“As an Irish player, wherever you are, you should always have Ireland in your head. Especially going to Serie A, I thought it was a bigger stage to show the coach what I can do and hopefully get called in, and that has come along now.

“Whatever chance there is to play for Ireland, I want to play. It's an absolute honour to play for the badge and getting my debut now has made me even hungrier.”