Paris, France — Nigerian striker Hafiz Ibrahim dey set to lift Coupe de France trophy as Stade de Reims face Paris Saint-Germain for final wey go happen on Saturday at Stade de France. Dis big opportunity come as 19-year-old Ibrahim don rise from streets of Kano to spotlight of French football after he score and assist in Reims semi-final away against Cannes.
“I want to help Reims achieve great things this season and beyond,” Ibrahim talk for interview with PUNCH Sports Extra. “I’m just focused on continuing to help the team in any way I can. The Coupe de France final dey huge moment for me, but we still get plenty football to play. My target na to keep improving, score more goals, and be consistent for the team.”
Ibrahim journey fit be like football fairytale. E start selling watermelons for Kano before e move to Ojodu City FC for Nigeria. Na his explosive performance at 2024 Viareggio Cup for Italy show say he be player to watch. E score 10 goals for six matches, including two back-to-back hat-tricks, and dat one catch attention of scouts for Europe.
After trials with Chelsea, wey e score hat-trick for their U19s, Ibrahim sign four-year contract with Reims for August 2024. The striker wey dey stand 1.90 meters tall don begin draw comparisons with Lukaku for him strength and finishing skills. E start well, score eight goals in six appearances for reserves before e make im professional debut for senior team in December 2024.
His major moment come during the semi-final match against Cannes, when e quickly open score with tap-in after just 14 minutes, and later assist Teddy Teuma’s goal wey carry Reims enter their first final since 1977.
Abeg, dis final go provide the right platform for Ibrahim to show him skills against PSG wey dey chase after treble wey include Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Champions League. PSG don dominate the competition, reaching seven finals from 2015 to 2021 and winning six of dem.
For Reims, dis final be great opportunity to end trophy drought since dem last lifted trophy in 1961/62 for Ligue 1 and their last Coupe de France wey dem win na 1958. Manager Samba Diawara lead him young side to this stage despite their struggle for league survival. Dem don play dem first leg of relegation playoff against Metz on Wednesday, ending with 1-1 draw wey dem no want weeks before final.
But Ibrahim and im teammates dey ready to create history and bring home the club first silverware in over 60 years. Ibrahim rise dey parallel with compatriot Chiamaka Nnadozie wey just help Paris FC win Coupe de France Féminine against PSG. Nnadozie shine as the hero during dat final, saving two penalties during the dramatic 5-4 shootout to give im club their first major trophy in almost two decades.
Peter wey don dey cover sports for PUNCH for almost two years focus on combat sports reporting as dem dey feature special stories wey touch human angle.
