[1][2][3] After beginning his football education with local side BSG Einheit Osterburg in 1950, he joined SC Aufbau Magdeburg where he played in the youth and reserve teams.

[4] However, Fritz Wittenbecher was sacked at the end of that season, and his successor Ernst Kümmel did not have much use for the outside forward and he left the club to join local rivals BSG Turbine Magdeburg.

[citation needed] The club had just been relegated from the Oberliga, but under new manager Heinz Krügel immediately won promotion, with Abraham contributing 16 goals.

[4] After promotion, Abraham provided the assist for the first goal in the Oberliga, scored by Hermann Stöcker in a 1-all draw against SG Dynamo Dresden.

In the semifinal against Sporting of Lisbon, it was Abraham who used his hands to stop a sure goal – goalkeeper Ulli Schulze saved the ensuing penalty, with the match ending in a draw.