Nyota Katembo (born January 7, 2001) is a Canadian soccer player who plays for AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | January 7, 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Nyarugusu, Tanzania | ||
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | AFC Toronto | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021 | Portland Pilots | 17 | (0) |
| 2022–2024 | Arizona Wildcats | 46 | (3) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018 | Lakers du Lac St-Louis | 12 | (1) |
| 2019–2020 | CS Fabrose | 18 | (1) |
| 2021–2022 | AS Blainville | 11 | (2) |
| 2024 | Indy Eleven | 3 | (0) |
| 2025– | AFC Toronto | 17 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 20, 2025 | |||
Early life
editKatembo was born in a refugee camp in Nyarugusu, Tanzania, after her family had fled the Democratic Republic of Congo to escape war, before moving to Joliette, Quebec in Canada when she was two years old.[1][2]
From 2015 to 2018, she played with the Quebec provincial team.[3] She also played with the PEF Quebec program.[4]
College career
editIn 2020, she initially committed to attend the University of Washington in the fall of 2021.[5] Hovever, she ultimately decided to attend the University of Portland, where she played for the women's soccer team.[6][7] On August 19, she made her collegiate debut against the Utah Utes.[8]
In 2022, she transferred to the University of Arizona to play for the women's soccer team.[9] In November 2023, she was named one of the school's Student-Athletes of the Month.[10]
Club career
editIn 2018, Katembo played with Lakers du Lac St-Louis in the Première ligue de soccer du Québec. In 2019 and 2020, she played with CS Fabrose. In 2021 and 2022, she played with AS Blainville.
In 2024, she played with Indy Eleven of the USL W League, although her playing time was limited due to a chondral defect in the knee, with a piece of cartilage coming loose.[4]
In March 2025, she signed a professional contract with AFC Toronto in the Northern Super League.[11]
Career statistics
edit- As of November 10, 2025
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | National Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lakers du Lac St-Louis | 2018[12] | Première ligue de soccer du Québec | 12 | 1 | — | — | — | 12 | 1 | |||
| CS Fabrose | 2019[12] | Première ligue de soccer du Québec | 15 | 1 | — | — | — | 15 | 1 | |||
| 2020[12] | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 | ||
| AS Blainville | 2021[12] | Première ligue de soccer du Québec | 6 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||
| 2022[12] | 5 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | ||
| Indy Eleven | 2024 | USL W League | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| AFC Toronto | 2025 | Northern Super League | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 19 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 61 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 | 4 | ||
References
edit- ↑ Solomon, Clark (March 5, 2025). "Inspiring Journey of Nyota Katembo: From Refugee Camp to Professional Soccer". AZ Score.
- ↑ Tasci, Zeba (August 20, 2025). "Leveling the field: How Nyota Katembo turned refugee roots into a rising soccer career". United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
- ↑ "Nyota Katembo Arizona profile". Arizona Wildcats.
- 1 2 Davidson, Neil (March 5, 2025). "Another Canadian looks to make mark in pro soccer from start in refugee camp". CBC Sports.
- ↑ "Soccer : Nyota Katembo ira à University of Washington!" [Soccer: Star Katembo is going to the University of Washington!]. Groove Station Canada (in French). July 28, 2020.
- ↑ "Nyota Katembo Portland profile". Portland Pilots.
- ↑ "Colby Wilson and Nyota Katembo round up newcomers for the Pilots". Portland Pilots. August 13, 2021.
- ↑ "Pilots drop season opener to Utah 3-1". Portland Pilots. August 10, 2021.
- ↑ "Arizona Adds Mitchell, Katembo Via Transfer". Arizona Wildcats. June 20, 2022.
- ↑ "November Student-Athletes of the Month Announced". Arizona Wildcats. December 4, 2023.
- ↑ Elhilali, Rania (March 5, 2025). "AFC Toronto Signs Nyota Katembo". Northern Tribune.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "PLSQ Stats Archive" (in French). TSI Sports.
External links
edit- Nyota Katembo at Soccerway