21 Countries to Represent in 2012  Los Angeles African Soccer Tournament 

On Sat. Sept. 15, Carson’s Home Depot Center (18400 South Avalon Boulevard) will host the semi-final and final games during their African Heritage night from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Both events are free and open to the public.

A CalSouth sanctioned event, new teams this year include the L.A.P.D. Centurions, Belize, and Angola.  Returning countries include: Zambia, Uganda, Togo, Tanzania, Sudan, South Africa, Senegal, Rwanda, Nigeria, Namibia, Morocco, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Ghana, Eritrea, DR Congo, Cameroon, and the USA.  In addition, there will be a special showcase highlighting women in soccer.

The following are the tentative team drawings for tournament:

Group A

Black Stallions (Ghana)

Selam (Eritrea)

Bafana Bafana (South Africa)

Sundanese L.A. (Sudan)

Group B

Black Eagles (Nigeria)

Griga FC (Belize)

Might Elephants (Ivory Coast)

Bongo Starz (Tanzania)

Group C

L.A. Veterans (Nigeria)

Syli Nationals (Guinea)

Amavubi (Rwanda)

LAPD/LAFD Centurions (USA)

Group D

L.A. Lions (Cameroon)

Cali Harambee (Kenya)

The Hawks of Kadou (Togo)

B-Town Stars (Mauritania)

Group E

Moroccan Rockets (Morocco)

Leopards (DR Congo)

Lions Teranga (Senegal)

The Copper Bullets (Zambia)

Group F

Camsola (Cameroon)

Brave Warriors (Namibia)

Les Eperviers (Togo)

Simba United (Uganda)

Produced by Vuvzela Media and Marketing Co., the event is sponsored in part by Soccer Shop USA, Money Gram International, Red Cross International, Afrozon, Fatal Cut Entertainment, Chivas USA, New Designs Charter School, Turkish Airlines, South African Airlines, Clear Essence Cosmetics, African Trumpet, Carib Press, Immigrant Magazine with support from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Fire Department. 

For more information, please call (323) 993-8662 or email www.africansoccerla.com.

According to the U.S. Census, it is estimated that the current population of African immigrants to the United States is about 881,300. In Los Angeles County there are about 26,000 Africans representing almost 3 percent of the black population.  African countries in Los Angeles County with the most immigrants include Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.