'The spirit of African communities' on display at multicultural Winnipeg soccer tournament

A year after the fatal shooting of a soccer player at the Canada African Cup of Nations, the soccer tournament returned to the pitch on Saturday to a crowd of supporters from across Winnipeg's African diaspora. 

The Canada African Cup of Nations kicked off at Shaughnessy Park soccer field, with about 400 registered players across 12 teams. The tournament will run on weekends from June 21 until Aug. 2. 

Now in its seventh year, the Canada African Cup of Nations features Manitoba-based athletes representing their home countries of Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan and Tanzania. 

Haiti and Ukraine have also been invited to play alongside teams from the African diaspora. 

Gode Katembo, the tournament's founder and president, said he hopes to see even more countries join them in 2026. 

"Our goal for next year, especially being the World Cup year, we are opening the borders to everyone," he said, adding they are aiming to have at least 16 teams register next year. 

Saturday kicked off with a match between Ghana and Haiti, followed by Ukraine vs. Senegal, and ending with Ivory Coast vs. Kenya. On the sidelines, there was an artisan market, live music and many food trucks for soccer fans to enjoy, on top of a wildfire relief fundraiser. 

At the same time, 16 teams are facing off in the Ontario African Cup of Nations. Katembo also heads that tournament, which is in its second year. 

Seidu Mohammed, vice-president of operations for the Manitoba tournament, said the Cup of Nations is one of the biggest and well-supported events of the year for African communities across the province. 

"That's what the Canada African Cup of Nations is about, it's bringing all of