Hisham Chiha

Chiha called up to the Tunisia U20 training camp last week.

Peterborough United U21s midfielder Hisham Chiha was called into the Tunisia U20 training camp last week ahead of their preparation for FIFA U20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in May and June.

The midfielder, who has featured regularly for the Posh under 21s since November after returning from a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury, was delighted to have been selected and is working hard to be involved in their plans in the tournament next month.

“I’m very happy to have been selected. It means a lot to me as growing up I’ve always wanted to represent Tunisia and remember watching them in the African Cup of Nations and World Cups, so it’s nice to have been noticed, and involved and be around it now. I have been called up originally when I was 16 and it’s nice to be back again after my long injury. The U20 World Cup is in the summer, so I’m doing all I can to book my place there and hopefully, it all goes to plan.”

The holy month of Ramadan started last month and Chiha explains the challenges he had with fasting since arriving at the training camp. He said: “I’ve been fasting in England, so I’ve found it okay. However, it’s a totally different experience over here as the weather is much warmer and it’s slightly tougher.

“It’s a new challenge as I’ve had to make adaptions, so instead of usually training in the morning, we are training in the afternoons closer towards Iftar when it’s a bit cooler. I feel like I’ve been able to adapt well and change my schedule of work, but the main thing is that I’m enjoying it and grateful for the experience I’ve been given.”