Chima Uzoka

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Venida and the surname or paternal family name is Uzoka.

Chima Venida Uzoka (born 12 June 1998) is a Filipino professional footballer who plays as a forward for Philippines Football League club Cebu.

Chima Uzoka

Personal information
Full name	Chima Venida Uzoka[1]
Date of birth	(1998-06-12) 12 June 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth	Lagos, Nigeria
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Cebu
Number	17
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016	National University
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2017	Green Archers United
2017–2018	Ilocos United	18	(8)
2018	Global Cebu	4	(0)
2018	Chainat Hornbill	1	(0)
2019	Stallion Laguna	2	(3)
2019	Global Makati	8	(1)
2020	Azkals Development Team	3	(2)
2022–	Cebu	20	(13)
International career‡
2015	Philippines U19	2	(0)
2019	Philippines U23	4	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:55; 6 October 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:55; 4 April 2022 (UTC)

Early and personal life

Born in Lagos,Nigeria to a Nigerian father from Lagos State and a Filipina mother, Uzoka attended National University, where he began his football career.^[2] His brother Kennedy was an under-23 international for the Philippines.

Club career

Green Archers United

While playing in the UAAP, Uzoka as well was playing for Green Archers United in the United Football League (UFL).^[3]

Ilocos United

In 2017, Uzoka joined newly-founded Philippines Football League club Ilocos United.^[4] They played in the inaugural season in 2017 before it was dissolved in January 2018.^[5][6]

Global Cebu

Uzoka then joined Global Cebu.^[7][8][9]

Chainat Hornbill

In 2018, Uzoka signed for Thai side Chainat Hornbill.^[10]

Stallion Laguna

Uzoka returned to the Philippines and joined Stallion Laguna.^[11][12]

Return to Global Makati

After a short stint with Stallion Laguna, Uzoka returned to his former club Global Makati.^[13]

Azkals Development Team

Before the 2020 Philippines Football League, he signed for Azkals Development Team in the Philippines, playing in three games for ADT in the COVID-19 pandemic-shortened 2020 season and scoring a brace against Mendiola FC 1991 in a 5–0 victory.^[14]

Dynamic Herb Cebu

In March 31, 2022, Dynamic Herb Cebu announced the signing of Uzoka for the 2022 Philippines Football League season.^[15]

International career

Uzoka is eligible to represent either Philippines or Nigeria at international level through his parents.

Philippines U19

Uzoka was called up to the Philippines under-19 team for the 2015 AFF U-19 Youth Championship in Laos.^[16] He made his debut in a 4−1 defeat to Thailand.^[17]

Philippines U23

Uzoka was part of the Philippines squad for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games on home soil,^[18][19] making his debut in a 1–1 draw with Cambodia.^[20]

References

1. "Chima Uzoka - Soccer player profile & career statistics". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
2. Guerrero, Bob (30 January 2017). "UAAP 79 football preview: UP Maroons face tough title defense". Rappler. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
3. "Kaya, Archers clash in UFL today". The Manila Times. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
4. Co, Adrian Stewart (5 June 2017). "Meralco blanks Davao to stay unbeaten in PFL". Panay News. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
5. "Ilocos United FC becomes second PFL team to withdraw from league". Rappler. 18 January 2018.
6. del Carmen, Lorenzo (18 January 2018). "Ilocos United takes leave from PFL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
7. Abcede, JP (20 January 2018). "Davao, Cebu make transfer moves". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
8. "Global Cebu inks Uzoka". SunStar Cebu. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
9. "Key signings boost Global Cebu roster". Cebu Daily News. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
10. "Azkals midfielder Adam Reed joins Thai League 1 club Chainat Hornbill". Archived from the original on 19 January 2021.
11. "PFL: Kaya races to third win in a row; Stallion routs Mendiola". Business World. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
12. Co, Adrian Stewart (19 June 2019). "PH Football League: Stallion Laguna wallops Mendiola". Panay News. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
13. Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (11 September 2019). "Air Force drubs Global Makati in midweek PFL action". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
14. Morilla, Juro (6 November 2020). "Azkals Development Team snatches 2nd PFL victory over Maharlika". Rappler. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
15. Aznar, Edri (2 April 2022). "Cebu FC adds three Turkish players to roster". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
16. "Final Registration of Players and Officials" (PDF). ASEAN Football Federation. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
17. "AFF U19 Championship Match Summary 010" (PDF). ASEAN Football Federation. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
18. "Philippines Men's Under-22 National Team Gears Up For The 30th Southeast Asian Games". Philippine Football Federation. 24 November 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
19. "Young Azkals take shape for SEA Games as 23-man squad finalized". Huddle PH. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2022.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
20. Agcaoili, Lance (25 November 2019). "Dennis Chung to the rescue as PH U22 Azkals salvage draw vs Cambodia in debut". SPIN PH. Retrieved 4 April 2022.

External links

• Chima Uzoka at Soccerway