Hafiz Ibrahim: Ex-Chelsea triallist rising in France

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, so they say. Or to localize it, when life shows you shege, you keep your head up and never give up. You keep grinding until you achieve a breakthrough.

Ex-Chelsea trialist Hafiz Umar Ibrahim’s story continues to thrill. Last week, he made his first professional appearance for the senior team of French club Stade Reims in the French Cup, a 3-1 win at AS Mutzig. He was a 62nd-minute replacement for Malian Niama Pape Sissoko.

He had been playing for Stade Reims B team since joining in August. His prolificity saw him score eight goals in seven matches in the fifth tier of the French football system.

French journalist Cyril Olive Berthet informed me a few days earlier that the club was thinking of promoting him to the senior team due to his proof of ability. But first, they would need to sell some players in January to create space for him in the squad.

It came to pass as he made his maiden appearance for the first team on December 22, playing 28 minutes in that French Cup victory.

A long road from Chelsea

Hafiz’s story is one of triumph. He trialled at Chelsea’s Cobham facilities earlier in the year, scoring a hat trick in his final game with the U19s in the owner's presence. However, contract negotiations stalled because the London club was unwilling to meet an estimated 500,000 pounds valuation to his club, Ojodu City.

They felt he was overpriced as no new offers came for him from other clubs. Hafiz had turned down an opportunity to sign for Norwegian side Bodo Glimt in favour of a shot at Chelsea after Raheem Sterling convinced him over a video call.

As that promising move to the Premier League fell through, the worry was about where he would end up. After a few troubling weeks, Hafiz turned up with his agents on transfer deadline day to sign for Stade Reims B team to start his European sojourn.

He needed to prove himself with the youth side to get a shot at senior football. Despite resuming late with the team after pre-season preparations, he has established himself, and his eight goals have made him the team’s leading scorer.

From Kano to the world

Hafiz grew up in Kano, northern Nigeria’s commercial hub, where he sold watermelons in the market to assist his poor family. In February, he made his breakthrough at the Viareggio Cup in Italy, leading Ojodu City to the semifinals by scoring 10 goals in seven matches.

The tournament exposed his promise to the world, and he has not looked back since.

January 2025 promises a lot for the 19-year-old with the first squad of Stade Reims. He has an opportunity to kick into second gear and show France what stern qualities he is made of.

Chelsea may have denied him for now, but his time will come. Life has shown him shege, it is now time to show his strength of character and become a star.