Ibrahim Rabiu Explained

Ibrahim Rabiu
Full Name:Ibrahim Danda Rabiu
Birth Date:15 March 1991
Birth Place:Kano, Nigeria
Height:1.67 m
Position:Attacking midfielder
Youthyears1:2004–2007
Youthclubs1:Gateway
Youthyears2:2007–2009
Youthclubs2:Sporting CP
Years1:2009–2010
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2009–2010
Clubs2:Real Massamá (loan)
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2011
Caps3:2
Goals3:0
Years4:2012–2013
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Years5:2013–2014
Caps5:16
Goals5:0
Years6:2014–2016
Caps6:46
Goals6:10
Years7:2016–2017
Caps7:4
Goals7:0
Years8:2017–2022
Caps8:98
Goals8:8
Nationalyears1:2007
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:3
Nationalyears2:2009
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:3
Nationalyears3:2011
Nationalcaps3:2
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2015
Nationalcaps4:5
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:20:29, 1 November 2022 (UTC)

Ibrahim Danda Rabiu (born 15 March 1991) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder.

Club career

Sporting CP

Rabiu was born in Kano. In summer 2007, he signed for Sporting CP for 450,000, in a joint ownership agreement with his previous club Gateway FC.[1] Shortly afterwards, it was reported that Premier League sides Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal[2] were interested in signing him,[3] [4] but nothing came of it.

In late 2007, Rabiu was included by World Soccer in its 50 Most Exciting Teen Footballers list[5] and, in March of the following year, he was featured by InsideFutbol.com in an article on young African footballers including Emmanuel Adebayor, Mario Balotelli and Mikel John Obi.[6] In January 2009, he appeared in Goal.com's list of 10 African Players to Watch,[7] and The Times' Football's Top 50 Rising Stars.[8]

Rabiu participated in the 2008 Bellinzona Under-19 International Tournament with Sporting, with the Portuguese eventually winning the trophy. In the competition, in which he was eventually voted as the best player, he was deployed as a classic number 10 in a 4–2–3–1 system; one year later, he again led the Lisbon team to the final stage of the same tournament.[9]

In October 2009, Rabiu twice rejected an offer of a professional contract,[10] and was at that time sent on loan to Real S.C. in the third division. In January 2010 he drew interest from Scottish Premier League's Celtic,[11] but the deal never materialised due to undisclosed reasons believed to involve work permit issues.[12]

In 2010, Rabiu left Sporting as a free agent. Subsequently, Dutch side VVV-Venlo tried to sign him in partnership with a United Kingdom-based consortium, but the negotiations broke down due to financial issues.[13] In December, shortly after Damien Comolli was appointed director of football at Anfield, the player was again linked to Liverpool.[14]

PSV

In January 2011, Rabiu went on trial with Eerste Divisie club Telstar through an investment group.[15] After performing well in a friendly against PSV Eindhoven and later being described as one of the best players in the match by the team's coach,[16] he was quickly offered a contract, pending a valid work permit from the Royal Dutch Football Association.[17]

However, Telstar could not afford to sign Rabiu even with the help of private investors.[18] Subsequently, he went on trial with PSV, scoring twice in a 2–0 win against their reserves in a practice match – the first team's coach, Fred Rutten, said: "Ibrahim is fast, technically skilled, physically strong and has a good sense of field position, there is something in that boy";[19] on 11 March 2011, he agreed to a deal at the Eredivisie side.[20]

In December 2011, Rabiu's agent reached a mutual agreement with PSV to terminate the player's contract, because of limited first-team action.[21]

Celtic

On 18 January 2012, Celtic announced that, after a successful trial period, they had agreed terms to sign Rabiu on a three-and-a-half-year deal, pending a work permit application which was granted five days later.[22] He revealed that he turned down a move to clubs in England and Germany to join the Glasgow team, believing it could help him restore his reputation.[23]

Rabiu made his debut on 3 May 2012, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute in a 1–0 home victory over St Johnstone: his cross gave Gary Hooper the chance to score, but he was offside.[24]

Kilmarnock

On 2 January 2013, Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels confirmed that Rabiu had signed a two-year contract with the club on a free transfer. The 21-year-old decided to move to Rugby Park in search of regular first-team football;[25] he also stated that his choice was due to his new team having a similar style to that of FC Barcelona,[26] whilst Shiels said that the move was good for the player's career and that he would attempt to 'get inside his head' to help him find his form.[27]

Rabiu made his debut for the East Ayrshire team two weeks after signing, coming on as a substitute for Paul Heffernan in a goalless draw against Dundee United.[28] He finished his first season with only six appearances.

On 19 October 2013, Rabiu collapsed in the first half of a league fixture against Ross County and was taken to the nearby University Hospital Crosshouse.[29] The following January, both he and his compatriot Reuben Gabriel were released.[30]

International career

Rabiu was a member of the Nigerian under-17 team in the 2007 FIFA World Cup in South Korea, scoring in the first match against France as the nation went on to win the competition. Before the tournament, he had been dubbed "the new Jay-Jay Okocha",[31] [32] and helped the side win that year's Africa U-17 Cup of Nations held in Togo, scoring twice against Eritrea in the group stage (8–0).[33]

Aged 16, Rabiu was included in the senior squad by German coach Berti Vogts for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations,[34] with his under-17 teammate Haruna Lukman.[35] However, a groin injury prevented him from participating in the tournament.[36]

In 2009, Rabiu helped Nigeria to win bronze in the African Youth Championship in Rwanda, netting against Ivory Coast and South Africa,[37] [38] with the national team securing a place in that year's FIFA U-20 World Cup where he appeared in three matches, scoring against Germany in the 2–3 round-of-16 loss; in addition to his six goals in the youth levels, he also provided many assists.[12]

In the following years, Rabiu continued to be closely watched by the Nigerian senior coaches, with Samson Siasia claiming in the media in April 2010 that he was one of only two players who could solve the country's attacking midfield problems.[39] [40] Siasia was appointed in November 2010[41] and the player was called up to his first camp ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but the manager in charge was now Stephen Keshi.

Rabiu earned his first full cap on 13 June 2015, playing for 32 minutes in a 2–0 home win over Chad in Kaduna for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.[42]

Personal life

Rabiu is a practising Muslim.[43]

Career statistics

[44]

ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupEuropeTotal
AppGoalsAssistsAppGoalsAssistsAppGoalsAssistsAppGoalsAssistsAppGoalsAssists
PSV2011–12200211411
Total200211411
Celtic2011–12100000000100
2012–13000100000100
Total100100000200
Kilmarnock2012–13601000000601
2013–1410010001001101
Total16020001001702
Trenčín2014–1517414102151
2015–1626575102003367
2016–17310000400710
Total4610892060061128
Gent2016–17400100300800
Total400100300800
Slovan Bratislava2017–18800000000800
Total800000000800
Career Total75101013311009001091311

Honours

PSV

2011–12

Celtic

2012–13[44]

Trenčín

2014–15, 2015–16[44]

2014–15, 2015–16[44]

Slovan Bratislava

Nigeria

2007

2007

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Oferta pública de subscrição – Prospecto. Public offer for subscription – Prospect. Sporting CP. pt. 10 December 2010. 13 January 2011.
  2. Football Press, 7 October 2007
  3. https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/2007/09/20/fergie-chases-rabiu-89520-19817977 Fergie chases Rabiu
  4. http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/What-The-Papers-Say/2007/Sep/Papers-Boss-eyes-whizzkid.aspx Papers: Boss eyes whizz-kid
  5. http://soccerlens.com/top-50-most-exciting-teen-footballers-2007/4258/ Top 50 Most Exciting Teen Footballers (2007)
  6. http://www.insidefutbol.com/2008/03/09/african-players-with-eyes-on-world-domination/281/ African players with eyes on world domination
  7. http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2009/01/01/1035671/feature-ten-african-players-to-watch-in-2009 Ten African players to watch in 2009
  8. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article5502827.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1 Football's top 50 rising stars
  9. http://www.insidefutbol.com/2011/03/20/psv-eindhoven-set-to-help-ibrahim-rabiu-out-of-the-wilderness/39162/ PSV set to help Ibrahim Rabiu out of the wilderness
  10. http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2009/10/04/1540320/exclusive-nigerias-rabiu-ibrahim-rejects-sporting-cps-pro Nigeria's Rabiu Ibrahim rejects Sporting CP's pro deal
  11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A62145218 Celtic interested in the African Messi
  12. http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Rabiu-Ibrahim-19-year-old-starlet-tracked-by-Arsenal-Liverpool-Chelsea-and-Manchester-United-currently-a-free-agent/12523/ Rabiu Ibrahim – 19-year-old starlet tracked by Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United currently a free agent
  13. http://africanfootball.mtnfootball.com/live/content.php?Item_ID=32264 Rabiu Ibrahims Dutch move fails
  14. http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/liverpool-wonderkid-target-now-available-on-free Liverpool wonderkid target now available on free
  15. https://web.archive.org/web/20110208002053/http://voetbaltube.com:80/component/content/article/75-tussendoortje/2719-telstar-contracteert-supertalent-rabiu-ibrahimnog-niet-af- Telstar contracteert supertalent Ibrahim Rabiu (19) (ex-Sporting Lissabon) (Telstar sign super talent Ibrahim Rabiu (19) (ex-Sporting Lisbon))
  16. https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/telstar-hoopt-op-nigeriaans-duo-na-de-winterstop Telstar hoopt na de winter het Nigeriaanse duo te krijgen (Telstar hope to get Nigerian duo after the winter)
  17. https://www.voetbalprimeur.nl/nieuws/190269/trots-telstar-dit-is-de-rabiu-ibrahim Trots Telstar: 'Dit is dé Rabiu Ibrahim' (Proud Telstar: "This is Rabiu Ibrahim")
  18. http://africanfootball.mtnfootball.com/live/content.php?Item_ID=40680 Rabiu on trials at PSV
  19. https://www.ed.nl/psv/psv-wil-nigeriaan-ibrahim-vastleggen~a2aeef77/ PSV wil Nigeriaan Ibrahim vastleggen (PSV want to capture Nigerian Ibrahim)
  20. https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/psv-legt-transfervrije-stagiair-ibrahim-lang-vast PSV legt transfervrije stagiair Ibrahim lang vast (PSV capture transfer-free intern Ibrahim for a long time)
  21. http://www.soccernews.nl/news/141676/psv-en-jeugdinternational-ibrahim-alweer-uit-elkaar PSV en jeugdinternational Ibrahim alweer uit elkaar
  22. Web site: Ibrahim signs Celtic contract. FIFA. 19 January 2012. 19 January 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120120193858/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1570637.html. 20 January 2012.
  23. News: I snubbed clubs in England and Germany to join Celtic, says Rabiu Ibrahim. Daily Record. 27 January 2012. 10 April 2013.
  24. Web site: Celtic 1–0 St Johnstone. BBC Sport. 3 May 2012. 3 May 2012.
  25. Web site: Kilmarnock have signed Celtic midfielder Rabiu Ibrahim. Sky Sports. 2 January 2013. 2 January 2013.
  26. News: Rabiu Ibrahim: I chose Kilmarnock because they played like Barcelona against Celtic. Daily Record. 19 January 2013. 10 April 2013.
  27. News: Kenny Shields plans to 'get inside his head' to find the best of Rabiu Ibrahim. Daily Record. 19 January 2013. 10 April 2013.
  28. Web site: Rabiu Ibrahim debuts for Kilmarnock. MTN Football. 28 January 2013. 10 April 2013.
  29. News: Kilmarnock star Rabiu Ibrahim still in hospital after collapsing in Rugby Park win over Ross County. Daily Record. 21 October 2012. 6 January 2014.
  30. Web site: Nigerian Gabriel Reuben released by Kilmarnock. BBC Sport. 2 January 2014. 6 January 2014.
  31. Web site: The burden of Okocha's heir – Rabiu Ibrahim looks to a brighter Nigeria career. Goal. 12 June 2015. 8 September 2015.
  32. https://web.archive.org/web/20120816214623/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u17worldcup/korea2007/teams/team=1888317/profile.html Nigeria (NGA)
  33. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6440187.stm African U17 round-up
  34. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,13962_2960942,00+en-USS_01DBC.html Anichebe out of Nigeria squad
  35. http://allafrica.com/stories/200712120093.html Vogts dumps Anichebe – Picks Haruna Lukman, Rabiu Ibrahim
  36. http://allafrica.com/stories/200909230342.html Rabiu gets Super Eagles recall
  37. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7849100.stm Nigeria, South Africa into AYC semis
  38. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7862970.stm Ghana win African Youth Champs
  39. http://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2009/08/10/1432161/exclusive-nigeria-coach-shuaibu-amodu-tips-rabiu-ibrahim-for Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu tips Rabiu Ibrahim for glory
  40. http://www.africaplays.com/news/entry;2275.html Siasia makes case for Rabiu Ibrahim
  41. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/9161548.stm Samson Siasia is appointed Nigeria's new coach
  42. News: AFCON 2017 Qualifiers: Super Eagles beat Chad in Kaduna. Premium Times. 13 June 2015. 8 September 2015.
  43. Web site: Allan Johnston keen to ensure Kilmarnock avoid transfer 'mistakes'. STV News. 26 July 2013. 27 July 2013.
  44. Web site: I. Rabiu. Soccerway. 25 February 2015.
  45. Web site: Hráči - Štatistiky. Fortuna liga. 27 May 2022.
  46. Web site: Jedenastka sezony.... Fortuna liga. 22 May 2022.