Who is Ira Tapé – the Ivorian goalkeeper stepping up for TS Galaxy
Betway Premier Soccer League club TS Galaxy has completed the signing of Ivorian goalkeeper Ira Tapé on a two-year deal.
The 26-year-old joins the Rockets as a direct replacement for Fiacre Ntwari, who recently departed for Kaizer Chiefs.
Tapé, a towering presence at 1.92m, arrives from Ethiopian Premier League side Hadiya Hossana, where he spent the last season. He joined the team from another Ethiopian side, Bahir Dar Kenema, extending his time in Ethiopia to two years.
The shot-stopper brings a wealth of experience, having represented Ivory Coast at both youth and senior levels, including being part of the national team squad during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon. He made his debut for the senior national team at the age of 22 under coach Ibrahima Kamara.
He also featured in the 2020 Olympics hosted in Tokyo, Japan in July 2021. Known for his modern goalkeeping style, Tapé is a sweeper-keeper renowned for his composure and distribution skills. A product of the prestigious Aspire Academy in Qatar, he also had a stint with FC San Pedro in his native Ivory Coast.
WHO WILL IRA TAPE COMPETE AGAINST?
TS Galaxy’s head coach, Sead Ramovic, a goalkeeper during his playing days, is said to have been impressed by Tapé. He has played him in the Mpumalanga Premier’s International Cup.
Ramovic reportedly believes the Ivorian shot-stopper has the potential to fill the void left by Ntwari and contribute to the team’s ambitions.
Tapé is expected to compete for the starting goalkeeper position with Wensten van der Linde. The new signing’s experience and skillset are anticipated to provide healthy competition and bolster TS Galaxy’s chances of success in the upcoming season.
With the addition of Tapé, TS Galaxy has made a significant move in the transfer market, signalling their intent to remain competitive in the South African top-flight. The Ivorian goalkeeper’s arrival is poised to inject fresh energy and talent into the squad, potentially propelling the Rockets to new heights in the domestic league.
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