Rwandan football prodigy Hakim Sahabo has been a revelation since joining Belgian top tier side Standard Liège from LOSC Lille U19s in the summer of 2023.
Initially assigned to the club’s B team, known as SL 16, which plays in the Challenger Pro League, the Belgian second tier, it took the teenager just four months to breaking into the senior team.
He had the opportunity to train with the senior side in January and was hence involved in the team’s friendly game against Bundesliga side Dortmund. And he wasted no time to impress his coach Ivan Leko who immediately drafted him permanently into the senior team.
In his first month into the senior team, the 18-year-old went on to win the club's player of the month for January.
Leko saw potential in Sahabo and the youngster wants to repay him with top notch performance that can help the team their quest to qualify for the UEFA Conference League in the 2024/25 season.
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"In making strong impressions, you have to know how to meet expectations. I am really determined to go all out and do my maximum best for the team," Sahabo told the press.
He further stated that qualification to the Conference League is possible as there are seven games left to play.
"There is still hope. Our fans should continue supporting us in the remaining seven games. You can expect a team that is motivated and wants to show a good face for the future."
Despite being a natural offensive midfielder, Liege coach Leko is using the Rwanda international in a withdrawn role as part of his two central midfielders in the playoff where his duty is to win balls and distribute due to his unique and extraordinary passing abilities.
Sahabo maintains he is enjoying his new role and he is thankful to the coach for the faith he has in him.
"This is the role that the coach entrusted to me, sometimes you have to do the dirty work and make others shine. That's why I played simpler. Above all, I must thank him for giving me another chance,” he added.
Standard Liège is one of the six teams fighting for two slots in Europe's third continental club competition alongside Gent, Mechelen, OH Leuven, Sint Truiden, and Westerlo.
The Rwandan teenager made nine appearances in the regular season as Liege finished 10th.
Following an injury of first-choice midfielder Steven Alzate, Sahabo is having a regular start and taking his chance. He has made two appearances in the playoffs featuring 90 minutes in the goalless draw with OH Leuven and a 3-3 draw with Sint Truiden.