The young star was confident when discussing his opportunity to shine in the iconic No. 10 jersey during a media reveal of the 2026-27 Stormers home jersey. Ahmed emphasized the rarity and importance of such opportunities.
"When I got my chance [against the All Blacks], the first thing was to take it. Chances like this don’t come often, and if you miss this one, it might not come again."
Ahmed expressed the special feeling of competing in the Stormers’ colors against a top-tier team like New Zealand. He also acknowledged the benefits of having experienced players around him.
Despite the competition, Ahmed is focused on learning and growth, taking cues from both Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Matthee. His ambition is clear as he looks forward to more responsibilities.
"Being able to play against New Zealand wearing the No 10 jersey is really special. My goal going forward is to keep learning from Sacha and Jurie, and whatever chance I get, I’m going to want to take it."
The emotional attachment to the Stormers was palpable when Ahmed spoke about his sense of belonging and his dreams about the team. Having come from Wynberg Boys' High, this step up represents a significant achievement in his budding career.
Ahmed’s recent experiences in the Bok camp have been equally formative, where he has learned from legends like Rassie Erasmus and attack coach Tony Brown. His exposure to such high-caliber coaching has only honed his skills further.
"[Brown] was giving me a speech about being confident, [saying] 'You’re there for a reason, they wouldn’t pick you if you weren’t good enough’. He said I must take in that moment, know what I need to do, and just enjoy myself and play my game."
This blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned wisdom suggests that Yaqeen Ahmed is not just filling a jersey; he’s set to make it his own. With the new season fast approaching, all eyes will be on this young flyhalf to see if he can translate his potential into enduring success for the Stormers.
The Stormers’ commitment to nurturing talent like Ahmed’s is evident, and as the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how this investment pays off.
