AliousEarlier this year, as Hamza Igamane reflected on his journey from North Africa to Glasgow, he identified a key moment that set him on his path to Rangers. The young striker credited a crucial meeting with Soufiane Ringa as the turning point in his career. Ringa, who coached a local team near Igamane’s hometown in Morocco, played a significant role in shaping his early development.
Igamane, who arrived at Rangers from FAR Rabat for £1.7 million last summer, acknowledges Ringa’s influence in laying the groundwork for his eventual breakthrough at Wydad Temara—a crucial step in his progression toward European football. His rapid rise may soon be rewarded with his first call-up to the Moroccan national team.
“It all started in my neighborhood,” Igamane told *Le 360 Sport*. “I used to play with my friends in the alleys, like so many young people in Morocco. But the turning point came when I met Soufiane Ringa, who coached the local teams. He spotted my potential and took me under his wing, along with several other children. Thanks to him, I joined an association team, which later led me to Wydad Temara.”
### The Coach Who Ignited Igamane’s Rise
While Ringa played a crucial role in launching Igamane’s career, the striker’s own determination and ability have been equally instrumental in his success. Few players transition directly from African football to a historic European club like Rangers, and even fewer adapt as quickly as Igamane has.
“From the beginning, Hamza stood out—not only technically but also in terms of his mentality,” Ringa recalled. “He had immense self-confidence and was a natural leader on the pitch. I first noticed him playing in the streets of Temara. Now, just a few years later, he’s scored 13 goals in five months at Rangers. We’re still uncovering his full potential.”
### An Inspiration for Morocco’s Next Generation
Although Igamane’s meteoric rise has slowed recently—going ten games without a goal—his overall impact remains undeniable. Following a blistering start to life in Scotland, where he netted 12 goals in just 15 matches, including a Europa League double against Nice, a strike against Tottenham, and a hat-trick against Hibernian, his performances have already justified a significant increase in his market value.
Fernando da Cruz, who coached Igamane at FAR Rabat, highlighted the impact his success has had back home. “People follow everything he does at Rangers,” da Cruz said. “When he was scoring and assisting regularly, it made waves in Morocco. Everyone is proud of him—his neighborhood, the whole country. He has represented Morocco in the best way possible.”
Igamane’s journey could pave the way for a new wave of Moroccan talent breaking into top European leagues. Two years after their historic run to the World Cup semi-finals, the Atlas Lions appear to have a bright future ahead—and Igamane could be one of the players leading the charge.
Alious
