Stade de Reims took a significant step away from the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over RC Lens in Ligue 1 on Friday, aided by a strong second-half performance from Nigerian youngster Hafiz Ibrahim.
The 19-year-old forward, making only his sixth league appearance, entered the match as a halftime substitute and injected fresh energy into Reims’ attack as they sought to protect and build on their early lead.
Japanese winger Keito Nakamura was the match-winner, scoring both goals for the visitors.
His opener came in the 33rd minute, finishing a swift counter-attack with clinical precision to give Reims the lead going into the break.
With Lens pressing for an equaliser in the second half, Reims coach opted to bring on Ibrahim, whose pace and work rate helped stretch the home side’s defence and relieve pressure on the Reims back line.
His presence contributed to a shift in momentum, eventually culminating in Nakamura’s second of the night in the 88th minute, sealing all three points.
The result sees Reims leapfrog out of the bottom three, climbing to 14th place in the Ligue 1 standings with 29 points from 29 games.
The win comes as a welcome relief for the club after their narrow 1-0 home loss to Strasbourg in the previous round.
Ibrahim’s growing influence continues to draw attention.
Earlier this month, he made headlines by scoring the decisive goal in Reims’ dramatic 2-1 win over Cannes in the Coupe de France semi-finals on April 2, propelling the club into their first final since 1958.
Speaking about the team’s recent performances, Reims manager praised the impact of the younger players, including Ibrahim: “We needed fresh legs and Hafiz gave us that spark. He has great potential and is showing maturity beyond his age.”
Reims now face a monumental challenge ahead, as they prepare to meet newly crowned Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final on May 24 at the Stade de France.
For Ibrahim, the final promises to be another opportunity to showcase his growing talent on one of French football’s biggest stages, as Reims aim to complete a remarkable turnaround in both league and cup competitions.
