By: Adekunle-Oni Daniel 

The University of Ibadan has a noble antecedent in producing talented student footballers. Some of these campus athletes have gone on to thrive and gain ground beyond the university, building on the skills they developed in their sporting endeavors while pursuing their respective academic degrees. As they  graduated and moved  on, others rise to take their place, preserving the tradition of  the athletic excellence.

Those who pick up the baton often become interesting to watch, thrilling spectators with their sportive dexterity on the football pitch. One of these is Jaiyeoba Samuel Oluwapelumi, best known as Heskeyman.

A 500-level student of Civil Engineering and a resident of the Great Independence Hall of Residence, Jaiyeoba Samuel has paid his dues in the University of Ibadan campus sports. Notably, his tactical brilliance on the football field has earned him the admiration of both teammates and spectators. The manner in which he possesses the ball reflects a deep mastery of the game.

Speaking to IndyPress, Heskeyman traced his passion for soccer back to his childhood. He recalled being an ardent football fan from a very young age, gradually honing his understanding about the game by watching weekend football games. That early passion, he noted, laid the foundation for the talent and excellence he exhibits on the football pitch.

It is worth mentioning that Heskeyman’s exceptional skill has earned him a place in TomTom FC, where he thrives in the midfield position. His style of play is characterized by precise ball control, intelligent distribution and the ability to create scoring opportunities for the strikers. He is also not reluctant to fire shot at the goal post when necessary.

He told IndyPress that he has been playing football since childhood, attributing his growth to the experience he has accumulated over the years.“Football has been part of me for as long as I can remember,” Heskeyman said.

He added that the driving force for soccer emanated from Twisting Tiger, a character from the popular comic book, Super Strikas.“Spontaneously, I have been watching football since I was a child. Super Strikas really fueled the passion.” He added.

Heskeyman is not without achievements. The rising star has made a significant mark in the University of Ibadan campus sports. His accolades range from being selected to play for the university’s official team to winning multiple medals for his department in various competitions. His athletic influence on the Indy Maracana is well-known so much so that many regard him as “the king of five-a-side football on that pitch.”

Heskeyman has earned over ten medals as a student footballer at the university of Ibadan. In fact, he has won so much that, during the interview, he couldn’t remember the exact number. “Medals? They’re over ten. I’d have to count to remember the exact number,” he said with a smile.

Teamwork has always been a fundamental aspect of football game, as every player brings unique strength to the squad. When these individual strengths are combined and well utilized, they form the foundation of a strong team, finding it easy to win as many games as they can. It is however worth admitting that wins and defeats in soccer are immensely determined by the level of cohesion and cooperation within a football team. Acknowledging the significance of this, Heskeyman told IndyPress that the teamwork within the University of Ibadan’s football teams has contributed significantly to his accomplished feats on campus. He said, “The teamwork of the teams I played for in UI is pretty cool. They really contributed to my feats as a student football player,”

Heskeyman believes that winning and losing are inevitable ups and downs that every athlete must come to accept. Like many other players, he holds the conviction that the outcome of a match cannot be predicted beforehand, acknowledging that it only becomes certain at the final whistle. “It’s part of the game: win some, lose some. Stand up and aim to win the next one,” Heskeyman admonished.

For sportsmen, the real joy lies in watching their legacy live on through rising stars, whether within their team or the wider sporting community. At the University of Ibadan, young aspiring student footballers may have to look up to Heskeyman as he has proven himself worthy of emulation.

In his advice to upcoming student footballers, Heskeyman stressed the need for them to prioritize their fitness, hoping that their hard work will one day pay off.