When Nyota Katembo, a 24‑year‑old midfielder, signed with AFC Toronto on February 4, 2025, the club announced more than a roster addition – it marked a symbolic step for Canadian women’s soccer.
The deal, confirmed in March 2025, puts Katembo at the heart of the Northern Super League inaugural season, with fans slated to watch her debut at BMO Field on April 19.
From Nyarugusu to the Pitch: Katembo’s Early Life
Katembo was born on January 7, 2001, in the Nyarugusu refugee camp in Tanzania after her family fled violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After seven years of displacement, they arrived in Canada when she was just two, settling in Joliette, Quebec, a town an hour north of Montreal.
She is the youngest of eight children – five brothers and a sister – and discovered soccer at age ten. "It was never just a game—it was a reward," she later recalled, highlighting how the sport became a lifeline amid the challenges of refugee life.
Climbing the Canadian Soccer Ladder
Early on, Katembo joined elite youth programs across Quebec. From 2015 to 2018 she wore the Quebec provincial jersey and participated in the PEF Quebec program. She also sharpened her skills at Canada Soccer’s National Development Centre and its EXCEL academy.
Her club résumé reads like a tour of the province: stints with AS Blainville, FC Laval in Ligue 1 Quebec, a season with Lakers du Lac St‑Louis in the Première ligue de soccer du Québec (2018), two years at CS Fabrose (2019‑2020), and a return to AS Blainville (2021‑2022). Across those years she logged over 3,400 minutes, netted 12 goals, and earned a reputation as a gritty box‑to‑box midfielder.
College Years in the United States
Initially committed to the University of Washington for fall 2021, Katembo switched to the University of Portland, debuting on August 19, 2021, against the Utah Utes. She featured in all 17 matches as a freshman, totalling 706 minutes and two assists.
In 2022 she transferred to the University of Arizona, where she became a fixture in the Wildcats’ midfield. Over three seasons she amassed 46 appearances, 38 starts, three goals and one assist. Her senior year saw her start every one of the 19 matches, playing 1,269 minutes, taking 14 shots (seven on target), and earning the Wildcats’ Student‑Athlete of the Month award in November 2023.
2024 brought a brief spell with Indy Eleven of the USL W League; however, a chondral defect in her knee limited her minutes as a piece of cartilage briefly came loose.
Turning Pro: The AFC Toronto Signing
With limited professional pathways for women in Canada, Katembo took charge of her destiny. "I had to advocate for myself," she said, describing the uphill battle to get noticed by a pro club. The move to AFC Toronto not only fulfills a personal dream but also makes her one of the first players to sign for the club’s inaugural campaign.
Club officials highlighted her "extraordinary journey from a refugee camp to the professional ranks" in the press release, noting that her resilience mirrors the ethos they want the Northern Super League to embody.
Financial hurdles defined much of her upbringing. "Sports in Canada can be very expensive. Soccer wasn't any different, especially with that many kids," Katembo explained, recalling how her parents worked extra shifts to afford travel fees, equipment, and league registrations.
What This Means for Women’s Soccer in Canada
Historically, Canadian women have battled a scarcity of professional options at home. The launch of the Northern Super League, backed by a multi‑year partnership with the Canadian Soccer Association, aims to change that. Katembo’s signing sends a clear signal: pathways are opening for talent cultivated in community clubs and university programs alike.
Experts say her story will inspire a new generation of refugee‑status athletes. Dr. Lina Patel, a sports sociologist at McGill University, notes, "Visibility matters. When young girls see someone with a background like Nyota’s succeed, it reshapes what they imagine possible for themselves."
From a market perspective, the league expects average attendances of 5,000 per match in its first season, with the inaugural game at BMO Field projected to draw a near‑sell‑out crowd. That translates to increased media coverage, sponsorship interest, and ultimately, better pay for players.
Looking Ahead: The Inaugural Match at BMO Field
Fans will get their first glimpse of Katembo on April 19, when AFC Toronto faces the Toronto Union‑Women at the iconic stadium. The club promises a "festival of soccer" with live music, local food trucks, and community outreach activities celebrating diversity.
"When I step onto the field, everything else fades away; the noise, the pressure, the weight of my past," Katembo said in a recent interview. Her words capture the emotional crescendo that will likely echo across the stands.
Beyond the match, the club has outlined a development plan that includes youth clinics, scholarships for refugee athletes, and a mentorship program linking current pros with high‑school players. If successful, Katembo could transition from trailblazer to mentor within a few short years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Nyota Katembo’s signing affect aspiring refugee athletes?
Her visible success demonstrates that refugee‑born players can reach the professional level in Canada. Clubs are now more likely to scout talent in community programs that serve immigrant and refugee families, creating concrete pathways that previously didn’t exist.
What is the Northern Super League and why is it important?
The Northern Super League is a newly‑formed professional women’s soccer competition slated to launch in 2025. Backed by the Canadian Soccer Association, it provides Canada’s first top‑tier domestic league for women, aiming to retain talent that previously moved abroad.
When and where will Katembo make her professional debut?
She is set to debut on April 19, 2025, at BMO Field in Toronto, facing the Toronto Union‑Women in AFC Toronto’s inaugural match.
What challenges did Katembo face before turning pro?
Beyond the financial strain of paying for travel and equipment, she battled limited professional opportunities for women in Canada and recovered from a knee cartilage injury that curtailed playing time during her stint with Indy Eleven.
What are AFC Toronto’s long‑term goals for women’s soccer?
The club aims to establish a sustainable professional environment, launch youth clinics, provide scholarships for under‑represented athletes, and help grow a fanbase that will support women’s soccer across Canada for years to come.
The acquisition of Katembo epitomizes a paradigm shift where diaspora talent synergizes with emergent league architectures, catalyzing a systemic uplift in competitive equilibria.
I think its amazing how she turned a refugee camp story into a professional contract, u know seeing such journeys gives hope for many kids dreamin big.