JAZE KABIA was playing non-league football four months ago — but tonight he takes on Manchester United’s millionaires.
League Two club Grimsby snapped up the Irish winger last month after he helped Cornish minnows Truro City win promotion to the National League.
Jaze Kabia will be lininig up for Grimsby Town against Man UnitedShutterstock Editorial
Shutterstock EditorialHe joined the club this summer from non-league side Truro City[/caption]
He helped Truro City gain promotion to the National LeagueShutterstock Editorial
He has hit the ground running in his first six games as an EFL player, racking up four goals, including one on his debut.
Kabia, 25, came through at Ireland’s Cobh Ramblers — the club that produced United icon Roy Keane.
And the Town ace admits he is pinching himself over the prospect of facing Ruben Amorim’s superstars at Blundell Park in the Carabao Cup second round.
A far cry from turning out at Aveley just under a year ago in front of 462 fans!
He told SunSport: “Never in my wildest dreams a few months ago while playing in the National League South would I have thought I’d be playing against Manchester United. It’s been a whirlwind.
“I’m a lifelong Arsenal fan and was only watching them play United on the TV the other week, so to be facing them myself is unreal.
“This is what you play football for — the big moments like this that stick with you forever.”
Kabia has had a tough journey to reach this point.
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After breaking through into Cobh’s first team at 17 and earning promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division with Shelbourne, he signed for Scottish top-flight side Livingston — but suffered two horrendous years hit by injuries.
He added: “I made my debut against Rangers at Ibrox and did my knee — then did it again on loan at Falkirk. Then I tore my groin and also my hamstring!”
But after brief spells back home at Cork and then in Scotland with Clyde, his heart was set on having a crack at English football — and he moved to Truro.
His 17 goals and 11 assists helped the club make Cornish history as the first team from the county to reach the heights of the National League.
He said: “Going to Truro was the best thing I ever did. It was a remarkable season. It was the hardest National League South ever.
“We were one of six teams who could win it on the final day and we did it.
The SunKabia spent two seasons with Livingston in Scotland[/caption]
Kenny RamsayHe also played for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship[/caption]
“And that has led me to a move to Grimsby and the chance to play in the EFL.
“It was always my dream to get to this point, I’m so proud to get here — especially after all the adversity I’ve had to suffer along the way.”
And Kabia will savour rubbing shoulders with football royalty tonight.
The forward is a huge fan of Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Casemiro.
He said: “These types of players have all performed on world football’s biggest stage — Casemiro has won the Champions League, he’s won everything.
“He’s played for Brazil and the biggest teams in the world. He’s a Rolls-Royce in midfield.
“Bruno is one of the Premier League’s best players and a magician who always has you on the edge of your seat.
“This is a man who shares a Portugal dressing room with Cristiano Ronaldo.
GettyMan United are yet to win a game this season[/caption]
AlamyThey drew last time out to Fulham[/caption]
“Then Harry Maguire has played and scored in World Cups with England and been at the top level for many years.
“He gets a lot of stick but he is one of English football’s finest defenders.
“He’s had his own journey through the ranks of football, which makes me respect him even more.
“I know how hard it is to just be a professional footballer, never mind a Premier League international.”
United are not in Europe this season after a shocking 2024-25 league campaign which saw them finish a lowly sixth from bottom.
And the Red Devils have not exactly set the world alight in the first two games this season.
Amorim’s side lost at home to Arsenal before labouring to a 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday.
But Kabia knows that the bright lights of the Premier League is a different stratosphere to Grimsby.
GettyRuben Amorim will be hoping the Red Devils can win for the first time this season[/caption]
GettyMan United will face Gimsby at Blundell Park[/caption]
Yet he insists the Mariners players and fans are going to enjoy the occasion of welcoming one of the world’s biggest clubs to their 9,000-capacity stadium.
He said: “It’s going to be a special night for everyone. It’s a free hit for us because we’re not expected to get a result.
“But this is a proper English football cup tie where a giant club is visiting a small, old-school, lower-league stadium. It’s the beauty of football in this country.
“And playing a team of this calibre will give us a glimpse of what we all need to do as players to get anywhere near their level in our careers.
“They’ve got world-class players but we’ve seen so many upsets before. Why not Grimsby?”
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