From watermelon seller to Chelsea reject to Reims hero: A look at Hafiz Ibrahim’s bumpy road to the top

Nigerian youngster Hafiz Ibrahim reached a career milestone with his first senior goal for Stade de Reims on Wednesday night in the French Cup semifinal win against AS Cannes, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 19-year-old scored the opener and also created the assist for Teuba, the winner, in a 2-1 victory that takes Reims to the final at Stade de France on May 24 against the giants Paris Saint-Germain.

It is the first French Cup final appearance for Reims in 48 years.

The rise of Hafiz Umar Ibrahim

It has been a revelatory year for the Kano-born teenager Hafiz, who rose to fame after finishing as the highest scorer at the Viareggio Cup last year.

Highly sought after following that feat in Italy with Ojodu City FC, Ibrahim was on the verge of joining Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt before Chelsea showed interest in him.

Hafiz Umar Ibrahim arrived in Bodo today and was surprised at the crowd and cameras that showed up. Bodo/Glimt are desperate to sign him but Chelsea are circling. Raheem Sterling joined a call with the Blues’ Sporting Director today as they tried to woo him.

@Altermulig2024 pic.twitter.com/sJD96poVHK

— Lolade Adewuyi (@Jololade) March 1, 2024

What followed was a trial at the Cobham training ground of the English giants. Despite impressing in the trial, Chelsea held off signing the Nigerian, so he moved to Stade de Reims on transfer deadline day in August 2024.

He started on the Reims B team, where he became a star for the side, notching nine goals in nine matches.

This made Franco-Malian coach Samba Diawara promote him into the first team of Reims, who were struggling to find goals.

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Red card debut

But on Ibrahim’s debut senior team game, he received a red card following two fouls after coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 loss to Stade Rennes.

He was subbed in at 73 minutes for Japan’s Ito Junya. Ibrahim received his first caution six minutes later before committing a second foul that earned him his marching orders in the 89th minute.

A total of 16 minutes was spent on the pitch during his senior debut. He broke down in tears after the incident. But he did not allow that to define him or his season.

Coach Diawara kept faith in him, and he was soon back on the bench against Monaco the next weekend after missing the French Cup quarterfinal win against Angers.