Let the ‘Hamza fever’ translate onto field

Going by FIFA rankings, Bangladesh is at the bottom of Group ‘C’ in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Yet, some believe they can rise from the depths—thanks to the presence of Hamza Choudhury. This footballing optimism seems to mirror the country’s cricketing aspirations. Before every major global tournament, the Tigers express their determination to do well, with some fans even dreaming of a semifinal berth! But in reality, they often bow out after defeats to lower-ranked teams. Perhaps this recurring disappointment stems from an overreliance on emotions rather than rational analysis.

It’s too early to say if football will follow the same pattern. In recent years, Bangladesh has played a more positive brand of football. If Hamza Choudhury and Fahmidul Islam can click within this system, there’s no harm in hoping for good results. Given this context, Bangladeshi fans’ optimism is understandable. However, expecting Bangladesh to surpass Hong Kong, Singapore, and India to secure a place in the Asian Cup might be more of an emotional wish than a rational expectation.

Hamza Choudhury arrived in Bangladesh on March 17 to represent the national team in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against India. The Leicester City midfielder, currently on loan at Sheffield United, was greeted with great enthusiasm at the airport by football fans, Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) officials, and eager locals in Sylhet. The 27-year-old footballer was visibly moved by the reception, expressing his excitement in Sylheti dialect, saying, “Win koriya progress korte parmu” (We will win and progress).

Hamza is confident that Bangladesh will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup by topping Group ‘C’. This would require them to outplay Hong Kong, Singapore, and India—a daunting challenge, as seasoned football followers would acknowledge. To achieve this, Bangladesh must play a brand of football that has rarely been seen in recent years. Their campaign begins in Shillong, the capital of India’s Meghalaya state, on March 25. This six-match cycle will conclude with an away fixture against Singapore on March 31, 2026.

Where Bangladesh will stand at the end of this journey remains to be seen. For now, discussions revolve around Hamza’s arrival, the team’s strengths and weaknesses, and the rising expectations. Many fans seem to believe that Hamza alone can bring unprecedented success—a rather unrealistic notion. Former footballers consistently emphasize that Bangladesh must function as a cohesive unit, and Hamza must integrate seamlessly into the team. A major question remains: how well can Hamza, who has grown up with the modern footballing philosophies of England, adapt to a team from a football-deprived region? The answers will unfold over time.

Before assessing the outcomes, let’s take a closer look at the excitement surrounding Hamza’s arrival.

Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, two clubs from the steel-producing city of South Yorkshire, share a fierce rivalry known as the ‘Steel City Derby.’ It was right after this derby that Hamza Choudhury embarked on his journey to Bangladesh. Following Sheffield United’s 1-0 victory over Wednesday, Hamza celebrated with his teammates before heading straight for the airport. The win was significant as it put Sheffield United level on points with league leaders Leeds United, making their 25th victory of the season even more special.

After the intense atmosphere of Hillsborough Stadium, Hamza experienced another wave of enthusiasm at Sylhet Osmani International Airport. This time, he endured the exhaustion of a 4,980-mile journey. Thousands of fans gathered at the airport to welcome him, including passionate football supporters, security personnel, and YouTubers, creating such a frenzy that Hamza struggled to even hear the questions posed to him. Amidst the noise, he managed to express his joy, saying, “I am very happy to be here,” his smile reflecting his emotions.

After completing the airport formalities, BFF officials bid farewell to Hamza and his family as they departed for their ancestral home in Snanghat, Bahubal, in Habiganj district. The FA Cup, FA Community Shield, and EFL Championship winner traveled in an open-roof vehicle, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

Recently, wherever Bangladesh football is involved, the ‘Bangladesh Football Ultras’ are present. They were in Sylhet to mark Hamza’s arrival, setting off colorful smoke bombs and chanting slogans through handheld microphones. The group also held banners and placards as they welcomed Hamza, later meeting with him to express their support.
Hamza’s journey from Sylhet to his village home took around four hours. Upon reaching Snanghat, he was overwhelmed by the warm reception from locals eager to catch a glimpse of him. A reception ceremony was held, featuring cultural performances and floral tributes to the footballer.

While many local organizers wished to arrange further events, Hamza’s father, Morshed Dewan Choudhury, discouraged such plans, citing his son’s exhaustion from travel and personal commitments. That evening, Hamza broke his fast with his family in Snanghat, where he spent the night with his wife, Olivia Choudhury, and their three children.

At Leicester City, Hamza plays as a central midfielder, but for Sheffield United, he has been deployed both as a defensive midfielder and in a holding role. His latest appearance came in the ‘Steel City Derby,’ where he played as a holding midfielder, contributing to both defensive and attacking phases. While many view his inclusion in the Bangladesh squad positively, former star Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Chunnu stresses that he must become a good teammate. He states, “Hamza Choudhury’s inclusion is undoubtedly a positive for Bangladesh, but football is a team game. The whole squad needs to perform well. The faster Hamza adapts to his teammates and becomes a true team player, the better for Bangladesh.”

Alongside Hamza, Italian-based Fahmidul Islam is also set to make his national team debut. This increases the number of expatriate players in the squad to five, including Denmark-raised Jamal Bhuiyan, Finland-raised Tariq Raihan Kazi, and Canada-raised Syed Kazem Shah Kirmani. Fahmidul, who plays as a forward for Italian fourth-tier club Olbia Calcio, may bolster Bangladesh’s attack.

For Bangladesh to succeed, these expatriate players must quickly form chemistry with local talents like Mitul Marma, Topu Barman, Rakib Hossain, and Sheikh Morsalin. Football is ultimately a team game, and collective effort is key to achieving success. The excitement surrounding Hamza Choudhury off the field must translate onto the pitch!

Mahbub Sarkar: Writer & Sports Journalist