Reims stunned the Ligue 2 opener on 11 August 2025 by salvaging a 2-2 draw at Amiens, as Hafiz Umar Ibrahim marked his league debut with a brilliant goal after being introduced from the bench, Footynaija.com reports.
With Reims trailing 1-1, coach Karel Geraerts sent on the 19-year-old Nigerian forward in the 62nd minute. Just eighteen minutes later, Hafiz seized his moment. The ball was delivered by Zabi Gueu and the former Ojodu City FC sensation slotted home with precision to put Reims ahead 2-1 in the 80th minute.
Reims seemed on course for a statement win in their return to Ligue 2, but Amiens did not yield. In stoppage time, the hosts struck back through Ange Josué Chibozo, drawing the match 2-2 and denying Reims all three points.
Born in Kano, Hafiz rose from selling watermelons in local markets to European football. He first caught attention by finishing as the top scorer at the Viareggio Cup with 10 goals and even impressed on trial at Chelsea, scoring a hat-trick before the move faltered over valuation disagreements.
Undeterred, he signed a four-year deal with Stade de Reims on 31 August 2024, joining their Pro 2 team, where he followed up with nine goals in nine appearances.
He earned a first-team chance in the Coupe de France on 22 December 2024, and though his Ligue 1 debut in February ended in a red card after just 16 minutes, he bounced back with a match-winning performance in the semi-final against Cannes, scoring one and assisting another to help Reims reach their first final in 48 years.
