Throughout the season, Forge FC has seen numerous standout performances from its key players, each bringing their unique strengths to the Canadian Premier League (CPL). Whether it’s player-of-the-year Tristan Borges, who has recorded eight goals, six assists, and 1,761 minutes on the field; team captain and player-of-the-year nominee Kyle Bekker, with two goals, seven assists, and 1,930 minutes; Alessandro Hojabrpour, another player-of-the-year nominee with 38 interceptions, 58 tackles, and 2,439 minutes; or defender-of-the-year nominee Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson, who boasts 86 clearances, 33 interceptions, and 2,700 minutes played—these Forge FC stars have all played a critical role in the team’s successful season. However, beyond these well-known leaders, there are other performances, especially in pivotal games, that may have flown under the radar. Malik Owolabi-Belewu’s impact on Forge FC’s success, particularly in crucial moments, is one of those hidden gems.

Owolabi-Belewu leads Forge FC in CPL tackles with 68 and has firmly established himself as one of the team’s top defenders in the 2024 season. Along with his team-high tackles, he has contributed 27 interceptions (fifth on the team), 52 clearances (third), seven blocks (third), and holds a duel-win rate of 2.03 (first on Forge), all while playing only 1,595 minutes. These stats highlight him as a formidable force on the field. Owolabi-Belewu hasn’t just delivered consistently throughout the season; he’s also stepped up in high-stakes moments for Forge. The first instance came in the season opener against Cavalry FC, Forge’s upcoming opponent in the CPL final, on April 13. The 22-year-old made a significant impact with nine tackles, six interceptions, and five clearances, providing a strong foundation for Forge’s early-season success. His standout performances continued into the Canadian Championship, especially in the first leg of the Semi-Final against Toronto FC. In that match, Owolabi-Belewu contributed 14 tackles and three clearances, giving Toronto few opportunities to score and helping Forge secure a 2-1 victory over the formidable MLS team. Even in Forge’s recent Exhibition Semi-Final loss to Cavalry FC, Owolabi-Belewu’s consistency shone through, with five critical tackles and two clearances to keep the match tight.

Time and time again, Owolabi-Belewu has proven to be a reliable defender for Forge FC. Heading into the CPL Final against Cavalry FC—a team he has performed well against—he aims to once again rise to the occasion and help lead Forge to victory.