Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury has arrived at Sylhet airport to a hero’s welcome, marking a significant moment in Bangladesh football history. Excited fans and media personnel gathered in large numbers to witness his arrival as he prepares to make his much-anticipated debut for Bangladesh in the first leg of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round against India on March 25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
Before flying to Bangladesh, Hamza played a full 90 minutes in the Sheffield Derby against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Championship (England’s second tier) on Sunday evening. Sheffield United secured a 1-0 victory, with Rhian Brewster scoring the decisive goal.
Hamza landed in Bangladesh accompanied by his mother, Rafia Dewan Choudhury, his wife, Olivia Choudhury, their three children, and his two brothers. His father, Dewan Murshid Choudhury, had arrived three weeks earlier to make the necessary arrangements for his son’s homecoming. Hamza will spend time at his ancestral home in Bahubal, Habiganj, before flying to Dhaka on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh national football team, currently training in Taif, Saudi Arabia, is set to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday. Hamza will officially attend a press conference on Wednesday after a photo session with the team. He is also expected to join a training session under head coach Javier Cabrera later that day.
The 27-year-old midfielder is currently on loan at Sheffield United from Premier League side Leicester City. His loan deal expires on May 21, after which he is expected to return to Leicester.
Bangladesh will depart for Shillong, the venue for their crucial clash against India, on March 20 via Kolkata. Initially, they were scheduled to arrive on March 23, but considering the importance of adapting to Shillong’s weather conditions, they have decided to reach the Meghalaya capital earlier.
As Shillong gears up to host its first-ever international football match, excitement is at an all-time high. While the return of Indian legend Sunil Chhetri has generated major buzz, the hype surrounding Hamza Choudhury’s inclusion in the Bangladesh squad has made this fixture even more electrifying.
Historically, despite being superior in FIFA rankings India has struggled against Bangladesh in recent encounters, managing just one win in their last four meetings, with the other three matches ending in draws. With Hamza’s arrival, Bangladesh’s squad has undoubtedly been strengthened. The versatile midfielder, who is equally comfortable playing in defensive and central midfield roles, is expected to be a key figure in breaking up India’s attacking moves when the two teams face off on March 25.
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