Ibrahim Hafiz Umar, a Stade de Reims centre forward, has been called up to Nigeria’s Flying Eagles squad for the upcoming 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON.
The 19 year old striker first gained international attention after his outstanding performances at the Viareggio Cup, where he won the Golden Boot with ten goals in six matches. His displays earned him a trial with Chelsea, but a move to the Premier League club did not materialize.
Following his Chelsea trial, French Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims signed Umar on a four-year contract in August 2024. He has since impressed in the Reims youth setup, scoring nine goals in nine matches in the Championnat National 3 Groupe E before making his Ligue 1 debut in a 1-0 loss to Stade Rennais.
Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu has been monitoring Umar’s progress and has now invited him to the national camp as part of preparations for Nigeria’s Group B fixtures against Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco at the U20 AFCON.
Editorial
Ibrahim Hafiz Umar’s inclusion in the Flying Eagles squad is a testament to his rising profile in European football. After missing out on a Chelsea deal, his resilience and performances for Stade de Reims have shown he is determined to succeed.
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With Nigeria facing a challenging AFCON group, Umar’s goal scoring ability and top-flight experience could be key for the team’s attack. If he impresses at the tournament, he might attract interest from bigger clubs and even get an early promotion to the Super Eagles setup.
Nigeria has a rich history of developing top strikers, and Umar could be the next name to emerge from the Flying Eagles program. His journey will be closely watched, especially if he delivers at U20 AFCON.
Did You Know?
- Ibrahim Hafiz Umar was the top scorer at the Viareggio Cup with ten goals in six matches, leading to a trial at Chelsea.
- Stade de Reims signed him on a four-year deal, seeing his potential for development in French football.
- He made his Ligue 1 debut this season, featuring in a 1-0 loss to Stade Rennais.
- Nigeria is in Group B at the 2025 U20 AFCON, alongside Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco.
- The Flying Eagles have won the U20 AFCON a record seven times, making them one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history.
