A breakout season at Port Melbourne in the 2015 National Premier League season had many expecting bigger things from Gold Medalist winner Kamal Ibrahim.
10 goals and eight assists in 28 matches for the Sharks was one way catching the eyes of those who counted.
Next stop was then reigning NPL champions Bentleigh Greens and the gifted winger was seemingly edging himself closer to a coveted A-League contract.
Misfortune coupled with mismanagement got in the way though, according to the former Melbourne Heart youth player, who failed to reach the heights achieved at JL Murphy Reserve the year before.
A knee injury one week out prior to the commencement of the 2016 season curtailed any hopes of picking up where he left off, leaving Ibrahim to ponder what may have been on the sidelines.
A return after a long convalescence period, followed by an appearance in the NPL finals wasn’t enough to appease both Ibrahim and the Greens, who each decided it was best to part ways.
“You could call it [the decision] mutual,” he told MFootball.
“I could not see myself playing there next season to be honest and I’m happy now. The club had their own issue so it was a good thing for both of us. They didn’t get the best out of me and I wasn’t happy there. It was better to move on.
“If it was managed properly, that would have been it. But like I said, there were a few issues and it didn’t get managed properly by the club.
“I kept getting injured and it affected my whole season. If you don’t stay consistent, it’s very difficult.”
ASHLEY PEREZ PHOTOGRAPHYBarely a handful of weeks had elapsed before the 24-year-old decided to partner up with Bentleigh in 2015 – something which he was keen to avoid this time round.
“I didn’t want to rush into anything this year because of what happened last year,” he said.
“I wanted to go to a club where I can play and be in a good environment and a place where I can be looked after in terms of injury and how to manage them.”
Despite being touted by many as one of the favourites from Victoria’s premier division to make the step up to the national competition, a number of hurdles have stood in Ibrahim’s way.
Glaringly obvious is his inability to secure a trial with any A-League outfit, which has come to the frustration of the former Green.
Needless to say, the Ethiopian-born ace is hellbent on not letting anything stand in his way.
“It’s a funny story. I had a great season at Port Melbourne but I wasn’t afforded a trial,” he said.
“You then see other players getting signed from the same league and even in Brisbane this year, Wellington Phoenix signed a kid who was the gold medalist winner.
“No disrespect to the Brisbane league, but I don’t think it’s as strong as the Victorian league. At the end of the day though, you can’t sit around and do nothing. I’m still going to keep trying and hopefully someone will spot me.”