Reds' Roots | Ibrahim Sangaré

Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré has a unique story that has taken him from his humble hometown of Koumassi, to The City Ground and Premier League football.  

From an early age, Sangaré’s passion was football; crying when he didn’t have one and even learning to walk with a ball at his feet. It’s almost like his career was meant to be.

The Ivory Coast international features in next week’s edition of Forest Review, for the visit of Arsenal, as he delves into his early days, first steps as a professional and the roads that led him Trentside.

A story that even included a brief spell in attack for his old Academy side!

“I started training at an Academy where I developed and did my apprenticeship, called CF TPK. When I arrived, the coach asked me what my position was. At first, I said, ‘I’m a central defender’. He was organising two teams to play against each other and the team I was meant to play for were losing 2-0, and I was on the bench.

“The match was in an area where I had friends, and they had come along to watch. And they then started singing my name ‘We want Sangaré, we want Sangaré!’ He called me over and said, ‘Go and warm up.’ So, I went and got warm and when I came back, he asked ‘remind me, where do you play?’ So, since I had my mates there, and the side I was meant to come on for were 2-0 down… instead of saying in defence, I said ‘I’m a striker!’

“He said, ‘A striker? They tell me you’re a defender’ and I said, ‘No, I play up front!’ As we were losing, he put me up front and I scored two goals that drew the game! From the day of that match, I’ve maintained a good relationship with the academy coach who is now like a spiritual father to me.

“He transformed me as a player, telling me that because of my skill and technique ‘I’m going to play you as a number 10’. Then after a period as a 10, he moved me further back to being a number 6 and I started to make that my position.”

To read the full interview with Ibrahim, pick up your copy of Forest Review around The City Ground ahead of the Reds' clash with Arsenal.

Supporters can order their copy of the programme online here.