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Johnny Edward
It all started as a dream for young Nigerian footballer Hafiz Ibrahim.
Football and hope was all he needed to survive on the streets of Kano, where he sold fruits to help his family get through the hardship of city life in northern Nigeria.
On Monday, Ibrahim started a two-week trial at Premier League giants Chelsea, where he will get a chance to emulate his football idol, Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian joined the Blues at 18, the same age that the Nigerian is making his first steps at Cobham, the Blues training ground.
The Blues have been keen on snapping up young talent across the globe in the past 18 months as part of a recruitment drive from their new owners, and are showing no signs of slowing down with their pursuit of Ibrahim.
Ibrahim caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs at the recent Viareggio Cup, where he won the top scorer award after notching an impressive 10 goals in six matches at the competition.
The Viareggio Cup is a youth football tournament held annually in the commune of Viareggio, Italy and is considered one of the most important youth football tournaments in the world.
Several Nigerian players like Christian Obodo, Ayodele Makinwa, Obafemi Martins, Ogenyi Onazi and Joel Obi all started their professional careers in Europe with Italian clubs using the Viareggio tournament as a springboard to stardom.
Last year, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro joined Italian champions Inter Milan from Beyond Limits Academy — the reigning champions of the Viareggio Cup — after showcasing his talents to the world at the competition and Ibrahim looks set to follow in his footsteps.
Born in 2005 in Kano and standing tall at 1.9m, Ibrahim, 18, played football whenever he had the chance to showcase his talents.
But it was not an easy route for Ibrahim as he made his way down to Ravens FC in Ogun State from Kano, before he was spotted by the Sporting Director of Ojodu City FC, Paul Ogunlaja, last October.
His quick adaptation at Ojodu City saw him seal a deal with the Lagos-based club and he is fast repaying the club’s faith in him, having emerged as the highest scorer at the Viareggio Cup.
“He (Ibrahim) adapted well to the Tigers tactics when he joined us,” Ogunlaja, who is also the head scout of Ojodu City, told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“We are called the Tigers and we are known for ‘Tiger Pressing’ and as a young and fierce lad coming new into the team he slotted in perfectly.
“His work ethic, commitment and dedication got him to this level and we hope he continues in this path.”
Sharing his inspiring story recently in an interview with Soccernet.ng, Ibrahim said his dream was to become a professional footballer and help his family out of poverty.
“I started playing football on the streets of Kano before I moved to Raven FC,” he said. “I hope to fulfill my dreams as a professional footballer.”
He also hopes to support the dreams of other young people in his community by buying them boots and football equipment but most importantly emulate Lukaku.
“I love Lukaku because he is strong, scores goals and helps the team very well.
“He (Lukaku) does everything on the pitch and puts his body on the line for the team, that is why I like him,” Ibrahim said.
“Everything I do is to succeed so I can help my family, that’s all I think of because everyone around me prays hard for me to excel and I can feel their prayers because it is working right now.
“I want to make my dreams come true, so that I can help my community and encourage them and give them what they need.”
Ibrahim’s coach at Ojodu City, Ogunbanjo Olawale, is also full of praises for the young striker, who he says has the talent to become a top star.
“He is a fantastic player who is hungry for success with a different kind of skill set,” he said.
“He is hungry for goals and ready to adapt to any formation but basically he brings the best out of our playing style, which is the ‘Tiger Pressing.’ He is very strong and clinical.”