Former Golden Eaglets winger Ibraheem Jabaar has expressed a strong desire to join Nigeria’s senior national team after an excellent season with South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC.
The 22-year-old winger played a key role in helping Stellenbosch secure back-to-back third-place finishes in the South African Premiership. He also featured prominently in their runner-up finish in the MTN 8 tournament and played nine matches as the club reached the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals.
Despite his standout performances and becoming the youngest player to reach 100 appearances for Stellenbosch, Jabaar was left out of the Super Eagles’ squad for the upcoming Unity Cup and a friendly against Russia.
Jabaar remains undeterred by the omission and looks to fellow Nigerian players in the South African league, like Stanley Nwabali and Olisa Ndah, who have earned national team call-ups, for motivation.
“Obviously, it’s everyone’s dream to play for their country. So, I dream about it every time,” Jabaar told FARPost. “I think it would depend on the coach. But if I get a call-up, obviously I would go there and do my job.”
While Ndah has struggled with injuries, Nwabali has grown into a trusted option for the Super Eagles. Jabaar believes his experience at the continental level has prepared him for similar opportunities and is now eyeing a move to Europe.
He added, “Like I’ve always said, from the start, that I want to play in Europe. I know it’s coming, I’m going to get there.”
Since joining Stellenbosch in 2021 from Maccabi Petah Tikva, Jabaar has become a key figure for the South African side. He made 41 appearances this season, scoring once, and recently received the club’s Young Player of the Season award for the second consecutive year.
A graduate of Ijebu United and Olisa FC, Jabaar represented Nigeria at the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. With his sights firmly set on the Super Eagles, he hopes his recent achievements are enough to earn a long-awaited call-up.
Article updated 4 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
