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Ikorodu City Star Uzondu Set For CHAN 2024 Challenge
Ikorodu City FC of Lagos utility player, Harrison Austin Uzondo is eagerly awaiting the start of this year’s Championship of African Nations (CHAN 2025) in order to justify what he described as the highest level so far in his career.
Sports247 reports that Uzondo is one of the domestic league stars Nigeria will rely on to win its first title in the competition meant for only players based in their respective countries, and the lad declared his determination to make the best of this privilege.
The fast-rising youngster, who can play as outside right, left-wing-back or midfielder in different tactical formations, said he is happy to be part of the home-based Eagles’ squad that is currently in Zanzibar, as they prepare for their first match of CHAN 2025 on Tuesday.
Uzondu disclosed, “It’s a very happy and grateful feeling for me. I’ve been looking up to representing the country, but I didn’t see this coming.
“I was like surprised being counted among the first 40, 35 players who were invited. I knew that I needed to give it all I’ve got to make the final list.”
After battling to a barren draw with Zanzibar in their first build-up match on Monday, Uzondu and his colleagues will play another friendly with the same sub-regional team on Thursday, but the soft-spoken versatile lad is still looking back, as he thanked his club for helping him get this far.
Uzondu uttered with delight, “I’m very happy, because this is now the highest level of my career that I have achieved.
“I thank Ikorodu City for what they’ve done. They build a lot of stars, and they’ve taken me here with a lot of encouragement; pushing me beyond my limit to get this far.”
Sports247 reports that Uzondu is already being rated as a potential sensation in the CHAN Eagles’ squad that is being handled by the main team’s Franco-Malian gaffer, Eric Sekou Chelle.
Other prominent players in the squad are Sikiru Alimi, Harrison Tochukwu, Adekunle Olamilekan, Leonard Ngenge, Abdulrafiu Taiwo, Sadiq Ismaila, Anthony Ijoma, Taofeek Otaniyi, Akanni Qudus, Godwin Obaje, Jabir Malik, Shola Adelani, as well as goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani and team captain Junior Nduka.
The team’s friendlies with Zanzibar were at Mau Stadium, but their first match of CHAN 2025, against the defending champions, Senegal on Tuesday, will take place at the 15,000 capacity Amaan Stadium in another part of the Pacific Ocean island.
For their second group match, Uzondu and his colleagues will face Sudan also at Amaan Stadium on August 12th, after which they tango Congo at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on August 19th.
Other venues for the competition are Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi and Moi International Stadium, Kasarani (both in Kenya), as well as Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
Only Group D – which features Nigeria, Sudan, Congo and cup holders Senegal – has four countries, while A, B, and C have five nations each.
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