CHICAGO — Chicago State men's soccer has announced the signing of Arafath Ouro Gnao.
A native of Lomé, Togo in West Africa, Ouro Gnao most recently competed for Scott Community College in Bettendorf, Iowa. In his freshman season at Scott, Ouro Gnao racked up 10 goals and two assists. He earned NJCAA Region XI First-Team accolades, while garnering all-academic recognition.
"We are very excited Arafath is joining the program," head coach Trevor Banks said. "For me, he is one of the most under-recruited guys in the country. This guy did something at a smaller school no one would have ever expected, and he was consistent with his play. We are adding another blue-collar piano mover to our group who understands what we are about. Chicago State men's soccer is lucky to have such a gem coming in, and our staff is very excited about it.
Ouro Gnao's family moved from Togo to America in 2018, and he attended United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois. Ouro Gnao earned Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) All-State and All-Midwest honors during his brief American high school stint. At United Township, Ouro Gnao led the Western Big 6 Conference in goals, with 30 scores in 19 games.
An attacking threat known for his offensive prowess, the 6-foot, 190-pound Ouro Gnao first played for the Promo-Stars academy, earning league titles at the under-13 and under-15 levels, while winning a district cup at under-13.
"I chose Chicago State because I have always wanted to play DI soccer and then play professional soccer," Ouro Gnao said. "Coach Banks talked to me about how great the team is going to be and how he's been recruiting players from different countries. And I can't wait to meet all of those new people. I feel like this is a great step for me to reach my goals and accomplish my dreams."
About Chicago State
Chicago State University Athletics is comprised of 15 intercollegiate teams involving over 150 student-athletes that compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and volleyball. CSU held memberships in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and NCAA Division II before transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1994. Melvin Bland was the first CSU student athlete to gain NAIA All-American status in 1974 as a wrestler. Fred Evans became the first black swimmer ever to win a national championship in 1975. CSU's women's basketball team earned a spot in the 2011 Women's Basketball Invitational and CSU's men's basketball team won the 2013 Great West Conference Tournament title and made an appearance in the CollegeInside.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). The Men's Outdoor Track & Field 4x100-Meter Relay team were 2019 Honorable Mention All-Americans and WAC Champions. Their feat marked the first time the Chicago State's men's track & field program was represented at the national meet.
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