Madison, Wisconsin Chapter

In August of 1996, four young African men played on the same soccer team for the Madison 56ers.  We were: Patrick Fourn and Franck Likala both from Gabon, Kelechi "KC" Eke from Nigeria, and Jonathan "Zamarano" Ngah from Cameroon.  We had fun playing on the same team and we looked forward to every practice session and games.  We won many games together both in the Madison and Milwaukee Soccer Leagues.  Despite the fun that we were having as 56ers players, KC always felt bad when we played against other teams with fellow Africans, especially after defeating those teams.  He would not show it, but knowing him, he wanted all of us on the same team.  He proposed the idea of forming an African team and shared the idea with Fasidy "Thuram" Jabang from Gambia, who played for a different team at the time.  "Why are we playing against each other when we can all be in the same team?" KC asked.  It seemed as though we were thinking of the same thing.

We decided to spread the word about forming an African team to see the kind of response that we would receive.  Thuram brought his two cousins - Lamin "Buju" Fatajo and Lamin Touray (both from Gambia), who would not play for any team unless it was an African team.  On September 14, 1997 we had our first meeting at their apartment.  Present at the meeting were: seven of the brothers mentioned above, Melvin Akosa from Nigeria, and Paul Seghnore from Gambia.  Two other players that we expected that evening - Mohammed Cole from Gambia and Herman Ndofor from Cameroon, could not make it due to circumstances beyond their control.  Nonetheless, we had a nice turnout.   At the meeting we expressed how happy we were to be together.  We went straight to the point to discuss why we had gathered around and stressed that we would not deceive ourselves by trying to start something that we couldn't finish. Everybody was on the same page.  We nominated our officers: KC - Team Captain; Touray - co-captain; Zamarano - co-captain; and Frank - Team Secretary.  The last agenda was to find a name for the team.  There were three different names suggested before KC mentioned AFRICA UNITED.  Everybody fell in love with the name.  The reaction was an instant nod and "Oh, that's cool" from all of us with big smiles on our faces.  We were so much in one accord, it seemed too good to be true.  Africa United Football Club was born and would join other ethnic-oriented (Spanish, American, Japanese, and Chinese) soccer clubs in Madison.

Meanwhile, another group was trying to form an African team also. The word got to us and it was nothing but additional blessing.  We wouldn't be complete without these brothers and we decided to merge the team.  It was through this merge that we have our team manager - Ray A. Kumapayi who initially came as a player.  Because of the level of league competition, the team captain and co-captains met and decided to ask him to help manage the team instead, given the "big brother" demeanor that he brought to the team.   We also acquired Cherif Correa from Senegal - our treasurer - whom we later gave a the nickname, "Air Cherif" for his speed in the soccer field.  Other players were: Addi Ouadderrou from Morocco, Patrice Nassalang from Senegal, Bamba Mbengue from Senegal, Eddison Bernard from Trinadad, Ibrahim Rhouni from Guinea, and James Weah from Liberia. The team continued to expand with additional players like Ogom Enwemnwa and Bayo Onafuwa both from Nigeria.  Although Africa United Football Club has 99% African players, the team has never been limited to Africans.  Anybody can join. We grew up with a pattern of playing the game back home, which we missed and decided to form a team.  It would also be a way for us to be in touch with one another since we are so far away from home.  It was a dream come true for all of us and our brothers Buju and Touray will finally play in the Madison Soccer League.

Dallas, Texas Chapter

In August 2000, KC moved back to Dallas, Texas where he lived prior to moving to Madison in 1996.  On getting back, he quickly discussed with his younger brother and former university soccer teammate - Uzo about forming Africa United - Dallas.  Africa United was nothing new to Uzo who played a friendly encounter with Africa United - Madison during his visit to his brother.  We started looking for players that might be interested in being a part of an African Team.  Almost every African country has a team in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex but there was no African team. 

KC contacted another former university teammate - Tamsir Mbai from Gambia who could not join the team due to injury but introduced him to brothers Fala Njie and Ebou Njie - both from Gambia.  At two different occassions, KC later spotted Bobby Edet and Micheal Morgan during pickup games at the famous Fair Oaks field in Dallas.  Meanwhile, Uzo  contacted Usoro Itata, Chris Yussuf, Gbenga Ajayi, and Fabian Onyia who were members of the Dallas based Nigerian team.  Fortunately, there was an African tournament held in Euless, Texas where KC spotted other players like Augustine "Nation" Tumbay from Liberia, Sanah Marah from Sierra Leone, and Eric Loleka from Congo. 

Kunle Oritola and his brother, Kamil Oritola from Nigeria also joined the team.  Africa United - Dallas was born as the team continued to grow with new players.  The following year, KC recruited David "Bulero" Akuffo, Stanley Andrews, Theophilus Adjei, Nana Kwabena (all from Ghana), Shepherd Maingano from Zimbabwe, and Nathan Osume from Nigeria. Bulero brought Andrew Madueke and Felix Madueke (both from Nigeria), Iorna Handem and Yuri Handem (both from Senegal), and Solomon Argyle from Ethiopia to reinforce Africa United - Dallas.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Chapter

In July 2002, Jonathan and Herman who played key roles in the formation of Africa United – Madison, decided to set up a branch of the Africa United chain in Milwaukee. Having played several soccer pick-up games with other Africans on Lake Shore Drive by Lake Michigan in Milwaukee’s Lower East Side, they decided to sell the concept of Africa United. Some of the players that they approached include: Nzagi, Saleem, Uganda, Kareem, and George. They always played strong and physical against each other and the question that emerged was “if we are this talented, why can’t we form an African team?”

After discussions with Herman about the possibility of the new team, Jonathan quickly contacted KC who gave him some insights on how to go about the setup process having played the lead roles in the formation of both the Madison and Dallas chapters of Africa United. Jonathan later spoke with several African players in the Milwaukee community. They all agreed on the need to combine resources and to work in an organized manner to form Africa United Athletic Club – Milwaukee. The feedback received from all the players and potential sponsors after visiting Africa United website was extremely positive.

On September 8th, 2002, the inter African games took place for the first time in Milwaukee. The Tournament was very competitive, physical as usual and played in great brotherly spirits. The teams from Kenya, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Senegal and South Africa put up a clinic and few members of the African community that came to cheer were not disappointed. Evaluating the talents and talking to several potential players, Jonathan was able to recruit more players for the new team. The goal was to have a team of committed players who will respect each other, represent the African Community on and off the field in a positive manner, while having a great time playing for Africa United Athletic Club – Milwaukee.

Long Live Africa United!!!