Plainsmen Ibitoye joins hometown Bobcats
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Ben Ibitoye loves seeing growth in the game he loves.
He has watched soccer develop massively since he arrived in Brandon at age 12, and wants to help the Brandon University Bobcats take another step forward.
The Crocus Plainsmen senior has committed to the Bobcats for the 2026 Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference season.
Crocus Plainsmen Ben Ibitoye has committed to the Brandon University men's soccer team for the 2026 MCAC season. (Submitted)
“I was really excited when I found out,” Ibitoye said. “Knowing it’s close to home, knowing the fan base and knowing everyone around me is really exciting.”
Ibitoye started playing soccer at age three in Nigeria and never stopped. He was certainly caught off guard by the differences in the level of play when he moved.
But he’s proud to have been part of the development, noting his Westman FC team had players make all-star teams last summer.
“We brought more of a spotlight to soccer in the community of Brandon,” Ibitoye said.
“From where I moved, it’s a big soccer community, the energy was there. But coming here, coming to see it growing, I feel like it’s better to be part of a growing movement than a movement that’s already big.”
Ibitoye predominantly plays at the back, alongside BU recruit Russell Harper of Boissevain.
They’re joining the Bobcats at a time of turnover on defence as captain Nathan Chubaty is graduating, but they’ll still have veterans like Victor Lamb to lean on, and the comfort of playing together will carry on into their university years.
“I like playing with Russell because Russell’s fast, I know he’s always there to have my back and support because he has so much speed,” Ibitoye said. “He’s ruthless as well. He’s pretty aggressive and agile on the ball.
“He’s a great teammate.”
Bobcats coach Diego Rodriguez Jr. liked what he saw in the fellow Plainsmen’s game at ID camps and when he watched Westman FC last year.
“He brings good technical abilities, being able to possess physical strength, speed and good one-on-one skills for the game,” Rodriguez Jr. said.
“It’s going to allow us to explore not just the wings but break down whenever there are teams that decide to play a more defensive game.”
Ibitoye won city championships with the Plainsmen in Grade 9 and 10, but lost to Vincent Massey last year.
He’s looking to go out on top, anchoring Crocus’s defensive unit as the season starts next week.
“We’re definitely pumped to get it back this year,” he said.
» tfriesen@brandonsun.com