Preußen Münster will be playing in the 2nd division next season. Winger Shaibou Oubeyapwa will then no longer wear the jersey of the future second division club.
Immediately after their promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga, Preußen Münster officially announced the departure of a total of six promotion heroes. One of these deserving players is Shaibou Oubeyapwa. The winger moved from Rot-Weiß Oberhausen to Hammer Straße in the summer of 2022 and achieved the double promotion there.
The 31-year-old scored 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists) in 48 competitive matches for the Eagles. In 2023/24, he played 17 matches in the 3rd division (1 goal, 2 assists). However, the speedy attacking player also had to miss over two months in the first half of the season with a torn medial collateral ligament in his knee.
Forecasting spoke to Shaibou Oubeyapwa (31), who has 145 Regionalliga West games (23 goals, 43 assists) in addition to 17 third division games in his career, about his time at Münster, his breakthrough and his plans for the future:
Shaibou Oubeyapwa, with Preußen Münster you made it all the way from the Regionalliga West to the 2nd division. Did you think this success was possible?
I was convinced that we would make it from the Regionalliga to the 3rd division with this team. That happened with ease. In the 3rd division, as promoted players, we looked from game to game and wanted nothing to do with the relegation battle. I actually thought promotion was possible after the 3-0 away win in Lübeck on February 17. I said the same thing to some of my teammates. Of course, they smiled at me and said ‘Shaibou, stay calm. Don’t dream’. But I meant it seriously. In the meantime, we went twelve games unbeaten in a row. You should always have a certain conviction and vision. The fact that we ultimately achieved this historic success and Preußen Münster are back in the Bundesliga 2 after 33 years is simply sensational and history.
You will be leaving the club in the summer. How do you look back on your two years in Münster?
Two years ago, I moved to Preußen Münster with full conviction, even though I had the opportunity to go to the 3rd division. As a hard-working and ambitious sportsman who always wants maximum success, I had two successful years at Preußen Münster. I was able to make my contribution to promotion to the 3rd division and now to promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga. I was an important part of the team and, among other things, part of the five-man team council in the past season. So I already had a certain leadership role within the team. In these two years, I have matured once again, both on a sporting and personal level, but also mentally
I had a great time at Preußen Münster and received a lot of appreciation and support from the fans, sponsors, board members and employees. That shows me that I not only impressed with my performance and the way I played for this club, but that I also made a good impression as a person. And hey, I’m part of the team that made history. Nobody will take that away from me.
Shaibou Oubeyapwa
Did you want to leave Münster or did the club approach you about it?
There was an open exchange with Peter Niemeyer, who holds me in very high regard. Unfortunately, he then had to tell me personally that I wouldn’t be continuing in Münster. Of course, it wasn’t easy because I missed most of the first half of the season due to injury and the players in my position simply did well. But that’s the soccer business. I had a great time at Preußen Münster and received a lot of appreciation and support from the fans, sponsors, board members and staff. That shows me that I not only impressed with my performance and the way I played for this club, but that I also made a good impression as a person. And hey, I’m part of the team that made history. Nobody will take that away from me.
Are you already in talks with potential new clubs and what could you imagine? What are your goals for the future?
Sure, there are interested parties. My brother and advisor are in talks with clubs. You should be open to everything. In the Regionalliga West, I always played for promotion and always delivered. I also definitely performed in the 3rd division, but unfortunately a torn inner ligament in my knee, which I suffered in the game against Rot-Weiss Essen last August, cost me two months of absence and exactly ten games. My goals are very clear: to go full throttle and celebrate success!
You have played 145 games in the regional league and 17 games in the third division and are now an experienced player. How many more years at a good level do you think you can achieve?
I see myself as an experienced, disciplined player who is resistant to adversity. I’m always prepared to work hard every day and also look after my body. I definitely believe I can still perform at a good level for another six or seven years. I’m convinced of that, because I feel seven or eight years younger than I am. I think everyone who has or has had dealings with me can confirm that. But you have to stay healthy to do that.