About Africa United Allstars Football Club
Our Story
Africa United Allstars Football Club, AUAFC, was formed in January 2006 following a series of meetings at the residence of Hassan Ali after the 2005 African Cup of Nations tournament in Adelaide, South Australia. A recruitment programme of distributing flyers and inviting players by word of mouth proved to be successful as players from different African backgrounds responded positively. By late February 2006, a team of about 30 players drawn from the Sudanese, Ghanaian, Liberian, Somali, Eritrean, and Ethiopian communities had been assembled to begin training for league football. Also in the team were a Croatian and two Australians of Italian and English descent keen on playing the game and experiencing the African style of playing.
Having been registered to play in the Saturday Division 3 league of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League, AUAFC easily brushed aside its opponents and emerged divisional champions at the end of the 2006 season and gained promotion to play in division 2. Of 21 matches played, AUAFC won 20 and lost just once to fiercest rivals, Adelaide Budapest and scored an unprecedented 110 goals in the process. The hallmark of the team’s style of play was relentless attacking football, a spirit of fair play and respect for opponents. These ensured that matches were usually played in a friendly atmosphere devoid of nasty incidents.
The 2007 season saw the team competing in a relatively tougher Division 2 league. With some players transferring to other States and the need to field both a Reserve and Senior team on match days, the club recruited more players to meet requirements. The inclusion of this new batch of players further expanded the ethnic and cultural background of the club as more Australians of different origins came into the fold.
Season 2007 proved to be of mixed fortunes as skipper Siegfried Mends had to sit out the whole season due to a bizarre knee injury, brilliant striker Richard Changadzo had to move interstate, the skilful Sabir Adroub left for Sudan and the stylish Mark Gabriel picked up a season-ending injury mid-way through. These misfortunes together with the loss of form of important players like Yuot Alaak, Sabt Wik and Nikola Pijovic threatened to hamper the club’s progress and aims of gaining a second straight promotion. That was however, not to be as Yuot and the others lifted their game to compliment the tireless Sammy Bangura, Christian Squillace, Robert Kpou and the sensational Jimmy Okello to chalk up brilliant victories. With Andrew Beatton hitting top form just as regular goalie Siafa Massaquoi was about to travel to the USA for family reasons, and Ezechiel ‘Kelly’ Bejera churning out some brilliant performances AUAFC found itself well placed for another promotion. 18 games, 13 wins and 5 losses later, the senior team had done enough to clinch 2nd spot in the league to gain promotion to division 1 in 2008. Mission accomplished!!!
Considering that many of the reserve team players had never played league football prior to season 2007, their 5th place finish was really very remarkable. Notably, their brilliant display of football artistry and the high number of goals they scored (59), point to greater achievements next season.
The club’s executive committee headed by Dr Gido Mapunda also played its part by ensuring that players were motivated enough to remain focused on the task on hand as well as maintaining team discipline. The executive committee aims for an all-conquering team in the seasons ahead so as we look forward to season 2008 and the challenges of Division 1 football, AUAFC wishes to invite skilled, disciplined, motivated and dedicated players into its fold.
Long Live AUAFC!!!!!!!!