Ibrahim Sangare’s season has been plagued with injury, but the Ivorian is fit again and ready to impact Nottingham Forest’s push for European football.
Sangare returned to fitness for Forest in January after missing the majority of the campaign with a hamstring injury, meaning he’s been absent for Nuno Espirito Santo’s push for the Champions League positions.
Such has been his absence from the mind for all involved at Forest, the Ivorian was actually linked with a move away from the City Ground in January, but Sangare rejected the interest from Stade Rennais to remain at the Reds where he has unfinished business.
His return from injury couldn’t have gone much better as Sangare starred against Exeter City in the FA Cup fourth round, but Espirito Santo hasn’t given the defensive midfielder enough game time since to truly begin to build momentum.
This clearly hasn’t impacted Sangare’s motivation, though, as a recent interview with the club highlighted the very reasons he chose to make his move to Forest.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
The Nottingham Forest ‘project’ convinced Ibrahim Sangare to join in 2023
There was plenty of fanfare when the 27-year-old signed for Forest, with Andy Townsend labelling Sangare “outstanding” after the deadline day deal was confirmed.
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However, some may have pointed to the fact that Sangare was leaving the relatively secure prospect of consistent European football with PSV, something that the midfielder discussed with the official Nottingham Forest website.
He said: “When I found out I was joining, it was a really proud moment. It was difficult to watch the Premier League as a kid because not everyone had the means to pay for the TV subscriptions. With more access as I got into my teens, I started to follow the Premier League closely.
“That was when my passion really developed. We had Ivorian legends like Touré and Didier Drogba playing there, and my dream was to get there myself.
“When I learned more about Forest’s history, that helped me, and the project the Club has also encouraged me in a big way to sign here. At the beginning some people were saying, ‘oh, you’re leaving PSV and the prospect of playing Champions League football’ and stuff like that.
“But there wasn’t the slightest thought of that in my head whatsoever, I’m such a competitor and I’m someone who likes to dream big, and who likes a challenge. When I saw the big plans the Club have, I knew things were going to go well and it was something I wanted to be a part of.”
Undoubtedly, though, Sangare’s absence from the Forest squad due to injury will have turned this proud moment into something a little more sour, but the Ivorian is determined to make up for lost time.
Ibrahim Sangare on the difficulty of his season-defining injury
Sangare tore his hamstring before Forest’s famous win against Liverpool at Anfield, which has kept him out of action for a large part of the 24/25 campaign, something that was understandably difficult to deal with.
He continued: “To be honest, it has been tough. particularly mentally because I was feeling really good and ready for the season. Ultimately, we are athletes, competitors, and you go through times like this. You have to accept it and work even harder to get back to your best.
“On a personal level, I can’t wait to come back fully match fit. I want to enjoy that feeling of being physically at 100%.”
Fellow midfielder Danilo has struggled since returning from injury so perhaps the more staggered minutes that Sangare has received will benefit him, but there’s no doubt that when he is declared fully match fit, he will be determined to prove his worth to the Forest manager all over again.