"Arriving in Catalonia from Ghana, he was playing for Codolar in the Quarta Catalana - the lowest tier of Catalan football - until February of this year. Once he turned 18, Barcelona swooped in. In just a few months, he has jumped from amateur fields to the Ciutat Esportiva and now, to European competition. Affectionately nicknamed 'The Mantis' by his teammates due to his frame, Gariba was a colossus against Chelsea, reports Mundo Deportivo."
"The 18-year-old offers a profile rarely seen in traditional La Masia defenders. Tall and dominant in the air, he combines physical strength with a surprisingly soft touch. What sets him apart, however, is his fearlessness. Gariba plays with an almost complete lack of awareness of danger. The youngster takes risks on the ball that most defenders avoid, constantly looking to thread vertical passes and create advantages rather than choosing the safe option."
Hafiz Gariba, an 18-year-old defender from Ghana, rose rapidly from playing for Codolar in the Quarta Catalana to Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva and UEFA Youth League action within months. He helped Juvenil A earn a point against Chelsea after dominating the second half, despite a late equaliser. Teammates nickname him 'The Mantis' because of his frame. He offers an uncommon La Masia defender profile: tall, dominant in the air, physically strong yet possessing a soft touch. He plays fearlessly, takes risks on the ball, attempts vertical passes, and creates advantages rather than opting for safety. Barcelona rate him highly as potential breakthrough material.
Read at Barca Universal
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