Kenya's AFC Leopards Toronto grab silver at Pamoja Soccer Tourney as World Cup fever hits Canada

As Canada builds momentum ahead of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto and Vancouver, football fever is sweeping across the country, inspiring communities, tournaments and emerging teams.

Riding this wave is Kenyan outfit AFC Leopards Toronto FC, whose rapid rise culminated in a silver medal finish at the third edition of the Pamoja Soccer Tournament in Ontario.

Founded just last year, AFC Leopards Toronto announced their arrival on the competitive scene by storming into the final on their debut appearance at the annual tournament held at the Brampton Soccer Centre.

The event, organized by the Kenyan Canadian Association (KCA), continues to grow in stature as a key platform for African diaspora football in Canada.

“The tournament is organized by KCA, and we are grateful to partners like the City of Brampton and Pamoja Canada Diaspora Sacco for supporting this football showcase,” said KCA President Ephraim Mwaura.

The final drew a capacity crowd as AFC Leopards Toronto faced seasoned campaigners, Zanzibar Heroes, who were chasing their first title after finishing runners-up in both 2023 and 2024. The match lived up to expectations, with both sides locked at 2-2 at halftime after an intense opening period.

However, experience proved decisive. Zanzibar Heroes capitalized in the closing minutes, scoring four quick goals to seal a 6-2 victory in a physically draining encounter.

Despite the loss, Leopards captain Gabriel Warunga praised his team’s effort.

“We put up a spirited fight despite the teething challenges we are facing. Reaching the final in our debut shows our teamwork, discipline and resilience, even with limited funding and logistical constraints,” he said.

Warunga expressed optimism about the future, adding, “If we maintain this focus, we believe we can lift the trophy next season.”

He also appealed to KCA to engage municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area to help players access free training fields, noting that most squad members live within the GTA.

Zanzibar Heroes captain Ali Faki attributed their triumph to better organization and lessons learned from previous near misses.

“After finishing second twice, we went back to the drawing board and fixed our weaknesses. That gave us the edge,” said Faki.

Zanzibar dominated the awards, with Mohammed Mohammed named Most Valuable Player, Ahmed Mohammed Ali winning the Golden Boot after a final’s hat-trick, and Mwinyi Mwinyi claiming the Golden Glove.

Beyond trophies, the Pamoja Soccer Tournament continues to unite African diaspora communities, promote youth engagement and strengthen cultural ties—mirroring the growing football spirit sweeping Canada ahead of the 2026 World Cup.