# Gideon Waja > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gideon_Waja > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gideon_Waja.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_Waja > Source revision: 1356270755 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Ghanaian footballer (born 1996)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Gideon Waja | image = | image_size = | caption = | fullname = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1996|12|15}} | birth_place = [Accra](/source/Accra), Ghana | height = {{height|m=1.65}} | position = [Midfielder](/source/Midfielder_(association_football)) | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = [WAFA](/source/West_African_Football_Academy) | years1 = 2015–2018 | clubs1 = [WAFA](/source/West_African_Football_Academy) | caps1 = 59+ | goals1 = 5+ | years2 = 2018–2020 | clubs2 = [Toronto FC II](/source/Toronto_FC_II) | caps2 = 32 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2020–2022 | clubs3 = [AFC Leopards](/source/AFC_Leopards) | caps3 = | goals3 = | years4 = 2023–2024 | clubs4 = [Hamilton United](/source/Hamilton_United) | caps4 = 14 | goals4 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2011 | nationalteam1 = [Ghana U17](/source/Ghana_national_under-17_football_team) | nationalcaps1 = 3 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2017 | nationalteam2 = [Ghana](/source/Ghana_national_football_team) | nationalcaps2 = 3 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | club-update = June 9, 2024 | nationalteam-update = February 24, 2018 }} '''Gideon Waja''' (born December 15, 1996) is a Ghanaian [footballer](/source/association_football). == Club career == Waja began his senior career with [West African Football Academy](/source/West_African_Football_Academy) in 2015,{{cite web|url=https://beachfmonline.com/2018/02/16/2018-02-16-wafa-agree-gideon-wajas-move-to-toronto-fc/|title=WAFA agree Gideon Waja's move to Toronto FC|date=February 16, 2018|work=Beach FM}} where he served as vice-captain.{{cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/wafa-deputy-skipper-gideon-waja-anticipating-a-keenly-contested-20152016-ghana-premier-league|title=WAFA deputy skipper Gideon Waja anticipating a keenly contested 2015/2016 Ghana Premier League|date=November 25, 2015|work=Ghana SoccerNet|first=Rahman|last=Osman}} Afterwards, he became the team's captain in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://focalsportsonline.wordpress.com/2019/09/17/if-wafa-was-to-have-a-game-it-all-depended-on-waja-ashimeru-hails-brother-gideon-waja/|title='If WAFA Was To Have A Game It All Depended On Waja' – Ashimeru Hails 'Brother' Gideon Waja|date=September 17, 2019|work=FocalSports|first=Godwin Nii|last=Armah Tagoe}}{{Cite web|url=https://myjoyonline.com/wafas-gideon-waja-happy-with-black-stars-call-up/|title=WAFA's Gideon Waja happy with Black Stars call-up|date=August 24, 2017|work=MyJoy Online}} At the end of the 2016 season, the club received transfer offers from [Aduana Stars](/source/Aduana_Stars_F.C.) and [Kotoko](/source/Asante_Kotoko_S.C.),{{cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/aduana-stars-strongly-enter-race-to-sign-wafa-talisman-gideon-waja|title=Aduana Stars strongly enter race to sign WAFA talisman Gideon Waja|date=November 11, 2016|work=Ghana SoccerNet|first=El|last=Akyereko}} but he ultimately remained with WAFA.{{Cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/wafa-midfielder-gideon-waja-not-desperate-to-leave-the-club|title=WAFA midfielder Gideon Waja not desperate to leave the club|date=December 5, 2016|work=Ghana SoccerNet}} In November 2017, he began training with Kuwaiti side [Qadsia SC](/source/Qadsia_SC).{{cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/exclusive-black-stars-b-trio-stephen-sarfo-felix-addo-and-gideon-waja-on-trials-at-kuwaiti-side-qadsia|title=Exclusive: Black Stars B trio Stephen Sarfo, Felix Addo and Gideon Waja on trials at Kuwaiti side Qadsia|date=November 15, 2017|work=Ghana SoccerNet}}{{cite web|url=https://ghanasportsonline.com/2017/11/exclusive-wafa-midfielder-gideon-waja-set-swerve-al-qadsia-join-mls-side-toronto-fc/|title=Exclusive: WAFA midfielder Gideon Waja set to swerve Al-Qadsia to join MLS side Toronto FC|date=November 16, 2017|work=Shana Sports Online|first=El|last=Akyereko}} In November 2017, it was announced that Waja would leave the club after the season with [Major League Soccer](/source/Major_League_Soccer) clubs [New York City FC](/source/New_York_City_FC) and [Toronto FC](/source/Toronto_FC) were being linked as potentially interested clubs.{{Cite news|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/818723/gideon-waja-will-not-be-with-us-in-the-201718-gpl-season-.html|title=Gideon Waja Will Not Be With Us In The 2017/18 GPL Season – WAFA Operations Manager |work=Modern Ghana|first=Samuel Ekow|last=Amoasi Appiah|date=November 24, 2017}} In February 2018, he signed with Canadian side [Toronto FC II](/source/Toronto_FC_II) in the [USL](/source/USL_Championship).{{cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/official-usl-side-toronto-fc-ii-announce-signing-wafa-captain-gideon-waja|title=Official: USL side Toronto FC II announce signing WAFA captain Gideon Waja|date=February 21, 2018|work=Ghana SoccerNet}} In 2020, the club opted out of the 2020 season due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic), resulting in Waja not playing that season.{{cite web|url=https://sportsworldghana.com/no-football-for-gideon-waja-this-season/|title=No football for Gideon Waja this season|first=Edmund Okai|last=Gyimah|date=July 30, 2020|work=Sports World Ghana}} In March 2020, he returned to Ghana, and began training with his former club WAFA, while were also interested in signing him.{{cite web|url=https://ghanaguardian.com/gpl-kotoko-open-talks-to-sign-gideon-waja|title=GPL: Kotoko open talks to sign Gideon Waja|date=March 17, 2020|work=Ghana Guardian}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kickgh.com/ghana-premier-league/9270-kotoko-make-move-to-sign-gideon-waja|title=Kotoko make move to sign Gideon Waja|work=KickGH|date=March 17, 2020}} In November 2020, he signed with [Kenyan Premier League](/source/Kenyan_Premier_League) club [AFC Leopards](/source/AFC_Leopards) on a one-year contract, with an option to extend for an additional year.{{cite web|url=https://www.kahawatungu.com/leopards-sign-gideon-waja/|title=FKFPL Transfers: Leopards Sign Ghanaian Midfielder Gideon Waja|date=November 7, 2020|first=Bonface|last=Osano|work=KahawaTungu}}{{cite web|url=https://footy-ghana.com/2020/11/gideon-waja-ex-wafa-captain-signs-for-kenyas-afc-leopards/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521121051/https://footy-ghana.com/2020/11/gideon-waja-ex-wafa-captain-signs-for-kenyas-afc-leopards/|archive-date=May 21, 2023|url-status=dead|date=November 7, 2020|title=Gideon Waja: Ex-WAFA captain signs for Kenya's AFC Leopards|work=Footy Ghana}}{{cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/exclusive-ghanaian-midfielder-gideon-waja-joins-kenyan-giants-afc-leopards|title=Exclusive: Ghanaian midfielder Gideon Waja joins Kenyan giants AFC Leopards|work=Ghana SoccerNet|date=November 7, 2020}} In 2023, he played with [Hamilton United](/source/Hamilton_United) in [League1 Ontario](/source/League1_Ontario).{{Cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/65660131?subseason=875807|title=Gideon Waja 2023 L1O Stats|work=[League1 Ontario](/source/League1_Ontario)}} == International career == Waja played at the youth level with [Ghana U17](/source/Ghana_national_under-17_football_team).{{Cite web|url=https://www.torontofc.ca/news/toronto-fc-ii-sign-midfielder-gideon-waja|title=Toronto FC II sign midfielder Gideon Waja|date=February 20, 2018|work=[Toronto FC](/source/Toronto_FC)}} In June 2015, he attended a camp with the [Ghana national team](/source/Ghana_national_football_team) ahead of the [2015 COSAFA Cup](/source/2015_COSAFA_Cup), but did not make the final squad.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614194622/http://westafricanfootballacademy.com/welcome/?p=3964|url=http://westafricanfootballacademy.com/welcome/?p=3964|archive-date=June 14, 2018|url-status=dead|title=Midfield ace Gideon Waja has rejoined the #wafasc First Team after being released by the Local Black Stars|work=[West African Football Academy](/source/West_African_Football_Academy)|date=June 24, 2015}} On May 25, 2017, Waja made his international debut at senior level in a 1–1 draw against [Benin](/source/Benin_national_football_team) with the Ghana B team (it counted as a full international, but a majority of the main squad players were not called up).{{Cite web |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/sports/football/transfer-news-toronto-fc-ii-announce-the-signing-of-gideon-waja/9vlrnvl|title=Toronto FC II announce the signing of Gideon Waja|first=Kwaki|last=Annor|date=February 21, 2018|work=Pulse Ghana}} On 12 August 2017, he scored against [Burkina Faso](/source/Burkina_Faso_national_football_team) in the [2018 African Nations Championship qualification](/source/2018_African_Nations_Championship_qualification) matches.{{cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/outstanding-musah-nuhu-earns-praises-from-gideon-waja-after-ghanas-2-2-stalemate-with-burkina-faso-in-chan-qualifier|title=Outstanding Musah Nuhu earns praises from Gideon Waja after Ghana's 2-2 stalemate with Burkina Faso in CHAN qualifier|date=August 14, 2017|first=Sheikh|last=Tophic Sienu|work=Ghana SoccerNet}} In September 2017, he was called up for two [FIFA World Cup qualifying](/source/FIFA_World_Cup_qualification) matches against [Congo](/source/Congo_national_football_team), with was his first call-up with the full Ghanaian team,{{cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/wafa-captain-gideon-waja-trains-with-black-stars-for-the-first-time|title=WAFA captain Gideon Waja trains with Black Stars for the first time|date=August 29, 2017|work=Ghana SoccerNet}}{{cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/wafa-star-gideon-waja-delighted-with-debut-black-stars-call-up|title=WAFA star Gideon Waja delighted with debut Black Stars call-up|date=August 24, 2017|work=Ghana SoccerNet}} but was an unused substitute in both matches. He then won the [2017 WAFU Cup of Nations](/source/2017_WAFU_Cup_of_Nations) with the national B team.{{Cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/exclusive-ghanaian-midfielder-gideon-waja-joins-kenyan-giants-afc-leopards|title=Exclusive! Ghanaian midfielder Gideon Waja joins Kenyan giants AFC Leopards|work=Ghana SoccerNet|date=November 7, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://footy-ghana.com/2018/02/gideon-waja-leaves-wafa-toronto-fc/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126222827/http://footy-ghana.com/2018/02/gideon-waja-leaves-wafa-toronto-fc/|url-status=dead|title=Gideon Waja leaves WAFA for Toronto FC|date=February 16, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2020|work=Footy Ghana}} == Career statistics == ===Club=== {{updated|June 9, 2024}}{{soccerway|gideon-waja/435965}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" ! rowspan="2" |Club ! rowspan="2" |League ! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="2" |League ! colspan="2" |Playoffs ! colspan="2" |Domestic Cup ! colspan="2" |Other ! colspan="2" |Total |- !Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- | rowspan="3" |[WAFA](/source/West_African_Football_Academy) | rowspan="2" |[Ghana Premier League](/source/Ghana_Premier_League) |[2016](/source/2016_Ghanaian_Premier_League) |26||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||26||1 |- |[2017](/source/2017_Ghanaian_Premier_League) |33||4||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||33||4 |- !colspan="2"|Total !59!!5!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!59!!5 |- |rowspan=3|[Toronto FC II](/source/Toronto_FC_II) |[USL](/source/USL_Championship) |[2018](/source/2018_Toronto_FC_II_season) |18||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||18||0 |- |[USL League One](/source/USL_League_One) |[2019](/source/2019_Toronto_FC_II_season) |14||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||14||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !32!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!32!!0 |- |rowspan=3|[Hamilton United](/source/Hamilton_United) |rowspan=2|[League1 Ontario](/source/League1_Ontario) |[2023](/source/2023_League1_Ontario_season) |8||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||8||0 |- |[2024](/source/2024_League1_Ontario_season) |6||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||1||0||7||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !14!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!colspan="2"|–!!1!!0!!15!!0 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !105!!5!!0!!0!!1!!0!!106!!5 |} ===International goals=== :''Scores and results list Ghana's goal tally first.''{{NFT player|id=68064|accessdate=14 August 2019}} {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;" ! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |- | 1. || 12 August 2017 || [Stade du 4 Août](/source/Stade_du_4_Ao%C3%BBt), [Ouagadougou](/source/Ouagadougou), [Burkina Faso](/source/Burkina_Faso) || {{fb|BFA}} || align=center | '''2'''–1 || align=center | 2–2 || [2018 African Nations Championship qualification](/source/2018_African_Nations_Championship_qualification) |} == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{Sports links}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Waja, Gideon}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:Ghanaian men's footballers Category:Ghanaian expatriate men's footballers Category:Ghana men's international footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Toronto FC II players Category:USL League One players Category:USL Championship players Category:West African Football Academy players Category:Ghana Premier League players Category:Ontario Premier League players Category:A.F.C. Leopards players Category:Hamilton United players Category:21st-century Ghanaian sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gideon Waja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_Waja) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideon_Waja?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.