South Sudan Joins Diaspora Unity at Winnipeg Soccer Cup

(Winnipeg) – The Canada African Cup of Nations returned to the pitch in Winnipeg on Saturday, nearly a year after the tragic shooting of a young soccer player during last summer’s tournament. Despite the lingering sorrow, this year’s event brought renewed energy and unity to the African diaspora, including a proud team representing South Sudan.

Now in its seventh year, the tournament kicked off at Shaughnessy Park with 12 teams and about 400 registered players. Matches will be held on weekends through August 2. Countries represented include Cameroon, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and notably, South Sudan. Two non-African teams, Haiti and Ukraine, were also invited in a gesture of solidarity.

Gode Katembo, founder and president of the tournament, started the Canada African Cup of Nations to unite African communities in Manitoba through football, a sport widely loved across the continent. Speaking on opening day, Katembo said he hopes to expand the tournament to include at least 16 teams in 2026, aligning with the global excitement of the World Cup.

Saturday’s opening matches saw Ghana face Haiti, Ukraine go up against Senegal, and Ivory Coast take on Kenya. Fans gathered not only for the football, but also for live music, local food trucks, and a fundraiser supporting wildfire relief efforts, making the event a full community celebration.

For South Sudanese Canadians in Manitoba, the event offered a rare moment of national pride and cultural visibility. In a province far from home, the flag of South Sudan waved alongside others.

Still, the shadow of last year’s tragedy hung over the festivities. In July 2024, 22 year old Eritrean player Mohamed Yusuf Abdullahi was fatally shot in a parking lot following a tournament match. His death shocked the community and revealed concerns around safety.

Two men, Norbert Kipala, 27, and Tresor Horimbere, 22 have been linked to the killing. Kipala is in custody and charged with first degree murder, while Horimbere remains at large. A third man initially charged had his case stayed last month after prosecutors reassessed his role.

In response, organizers have stepped up security this year. Katembo confirmed that the tournament has partnered with Winnipeg city authorities to provide more guards, especially around parking areas. “We don’t want the thing that happened last year to happen again,” said Seidu Mohammed, vice-president of operations.

Mohammed also noted how support for the tournament has grown since 2019. “It’s one of the most important events for African communities here,” he said. “Soccer is the one language we all understand. It brings us together, no matter where we are from.”

The tournament will shift to the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex on June 28, with the memory of Abdullahi never far from the field. His legacy, however tragic, has become a rallying point for community unity, safety, and the celebration of African identity in Canada.