Africari Football Club

The auspicious beginning of our soccer club was the brainchild of Mr. Tamba Davis, a Liberian, and Mr. Clyde Lochin, a Trinidadian, hence the name Africari. The first four teams began in 1989 with their home grounds at Vallejo Middle School. This combination of African and Caribbean soon achieved its goal of success, not only to be recognized in the C-division but also to embody the spirit of inclusion through soccer and community participation. While the team was in Vallejo, the Vallejo News’ Monday edition covered and reported the results of all the Sunday Africari matches, and even met with the then-city mayor as a team before a game in 1990.

In 1992, Mr. Clyde Lochin relocated, leaving Mr. Davis to keep the team going strong through the C-division, advancing to the B-division with many victories and some defeats, culminating in a glorious championship. In 1996, Mr. Davis handed over the club’s mentoring to Mr. Carey Thomas; in 2000, he teamed up with Mr. Manu Keita to manage the team, soon joined by an original member who remains a cornerstone of the club, Mr. Roger Alphonso. Since then, he and Mr. Thomas have kept the leadership and traditions of success with one love and dignity alive.

Africari soon found its way to many championships in the B-division, finally advancing to the top tier of the A-division in the EBSSL. Under this leadership, with the many contributions of many along the way, Africari has grown to 4 teams in the league.

In 2002–2004, Africari went undefeated, capturing all three trophies. The A-division league cup, the Referee’s cup, and the much-coveted Association’s cup championship. Players from five continents and approximately 24 languages make up the team. From 2006 to 2007, Africari was managed by Mr. Nigel Jones and Roger Alphonso. All four teams shared the Richmond Kennedy High School home facility at the time.