Nigerian teenager Hafiz Umar Ibrahim, born in Kano State, made his first Ligue 1 start for Stade de Reims in their narrow 1-0 loss to RC Strasbourg.
The 18-year-old forward played 82 minutes before being substituted, leaving a strong impression despite the defeat.
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Hafiz Umar Ibrahim joined Reims in August 2024 from Ojodu City FC and quickly became one to watch after netting nine goals in nine matches with the club’s reserve team.
He made his senior debut in December and has since been steadily earning minutes with the first team.
Against Strasbourg, Hafiz showed confidence and good movement on and off the ball, contributing significantly to Reims’ attacking efforts. While the team couldn’t find the net, his performance highlighted why he’s being tipped as one of Nigeria’s brightest young prospects.
“He’s a hardworking, intelligent player with huge potential,” said Reims’ head coach Luka Elsner. “Today was another step forward in his development.”
From humble beginnings in Kano to playing in one of Europe’s top leagues, Hafiz Umar Ibrahim’s story continues to inspire—and his journey is only just beginning.
