Wasius Ipaye, talented, born mid-field player. Served the Nation, Nigeria, when he was a member of the Ysfun team that traveled to the United States of America, Brazil, Mexico in Spain. He Served the Nation, Nigeria when he was a member of the Junior Eagles team that traveled to Russia. He Served the Nation, Nigeria when he was a member of Super Eagles, World Cup Qualifying Team against Cameron, in Yaounde. The specifics and other events served to the Nation would be mentioned below.
First, Wasiu Ipaye was born in Lagos. He attended Saints Paul Primary School, Alakara, Idi-Oro.
In the late 1970s, he attended Ebenezer Grammar School in Abeokuta. In secondary school, he enjoyed playing football with friends. He started representing his Secondary School when he was in form three. He was definitely the youngest and smallest but mighty in the team.
Wasiu Ipaye started playing street football with his colleagues at a very young age. Felele was common football used for street competitions.
Amazingly, Wasiu Ipaye played street football alongside Awollo, Taiwo Oloyede, Bremner Alada, Mike Dominic, Alao Hassan, and several players unmentioned. Most street Football Cup competitions took place at Campus, Abebe Shitta, Padinton, Jibowu, and Ojuwoye.
Wasiu Ipaye’s football career blossomed at a young age. He was a member of 1982/83 Ysfun that traveled to Dallas in the United States of America, Rio in Brazil, Mexico, and Spain. The Ysfun team won all the Cups respectively.
In the ’80s, while residing in Lagos, Wasiu Ipaye joined Amicable Assurance Football Club. With Amicable Assurance FC, he participated in a Division 3 LAFA League. The member of Amicable Assurance FC includes Charles Nti from Ghana and Austin.
Among the clubs, Wasiu Ipaye played for, includes IBWA Football Club, The Sharp Shooters. IBWA team had many talented young players, which includes, two sets of brothers, Jide Oloyede and Taiwo Oloyede, Alao Hassan, and Tairu Hassan, Fatai Atere brainwave, strong midfielder, Yomi Babajide, Ojugo, Tayo Okiki, and other names not mentioned.
In 1984, he signed a football contract with First Bank Football Club. Wasiu Ipaye was one of the First Bank Football engine rooms, which includes respectable Fatai Amao, Lookman Oshun, Monday Onyechi, Victor Aduayi, Akeem Ishola, Patrick Macaulay, Tajudeen Adio, and others names not mentioned.
Wasiu Ipaye’s midfield style of play gave him edge and popularity over a few Nigerian midfielders. Thus, in most games, Ipaye often considered as Most Valuable Player and, or Man of the Match.
Notably, when spectators talk about the mental and physical fitness of midfielder. Wasiu Ipaye was one of them. His brainwave style of play was unique. He changes directions suddenly, and unexpectedly to mislead his opponents. Occasionally, pretending to stop, while still moving and changing direction at the same time. His style of play in attacking opponents as a midfielder tagged dangerous and dreadful.
In 1985, Wasiu Ipaye was a member of Nigeria Junior team, that went to Russia, the team was Bronze Medalist. That team graduated to Super Eagle. And surely the team went to play World Cup Qualifying series against Cameron in Yaounde in 1988.
In 1990, Wasiu Ipaye was also a member of Super Eagles Silver Medalist in Algiers.
Worthy to remember, it was Wasiu Ipaye, that gave Late Rashidi Yekini the pass that resulted in the 2nd goal against Zambia in the Semi-Finals. Wasiu Ipaye represented the country, enormously, with deep dedication and determination.
Wasiu Ipaye participated in many cup competitions in Lagos and Nigeria. Among the Championship cup competitions played are CBN Cup, Oba’s Cup, and Challenge Cup. He was a member of the Lagos United/ Lagos Bombers team during his playing period.
Wasiu Ipaye later traveled to play football out of the country. He signed a contract with As- Sogara Football Club in Gabon. He played a successful season with the Club before he moved to Tunisia to play for Club African. Respectfully, he completed his season according to the contract signed.
Wasiu Ipaye played for Morocco-Settat Football Club in South Africa. In addition, he played for Africa-Kaizer Chiefs with intelligent, fast, and talented players, such as Doctor Kumalo, Niel Tovey, Mark Williams, and Bryan Baloyi. All the above-named players played for the National team of their country.
Wasiu Ipaye won deserved Laurels with the foreign clubs. He was the highest goal scorer, player of the month during football seasons, and player of the year while playing for the above-named clubs.
Amazingly, Wasiu Ipaye’s teammates in Gabon include Peter Nieketien. After completion of his assignments offshore, he returned to Nigeria.
Presently, Wasiu Babatunde Ipaye is a registered coach and Unattached to any club in Nigeria or overseas.
First, in the past, he was hired as First Bank Football Club coach. Second, the administrators of Benin Female National U-20 hired him as a coach. And Third, he was hired to coach Oasis Football Academy Lagos.
Impressively, Wasiu Ipaye served the country. He was an intelligent, talented, impressive football player. He is gentle, reliable, confident, and trusted individuals, and trusted coach. His past record as a football player speaks for him. Likewise, his performances with clubs coached also speaks for him. Wasiu Ipaye deserves a place as a coach on the four tears of the national team. (Female senior and junior team, Male Senior and Junior Teams). And, or professional clubs.
Wasiu Ipaye during the interview specifically said, without all the coaches that trained him, the standards and quality of his game would have been undermined. He gave thanks to Almighty God for his successful and injury-free professional football career.
Written by Ex international Ganiy Akanni
T&T Network Admin.
