Ahinga Bienvenu Selemani (born March 15, 1996) is a professional soccer player who plays for Mġarr United in the Maltese Challenge League. Born in Canada, he represented the United States at youth international level.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ahinga Bienvenu Selemani | ||
| Date of birth | March 15, 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Mġarr United | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Windsor Internationals | |||
| Michigan Tigers FC | |||
| 2009–2014 | Michigan CSA Wolves | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014 | Michigan Wolverines | 18 | (3) |
| 2015–2016 | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos | 43 | (12) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015 | AFC Ann Arbor | ||
| 2016 | Ventura County Fusion | 1 | (0) |
| 2017 | Panetolikos | 0 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Vlašim | 15 | (2) |
| 2018–2019 | Vlašim B | ||
| 2019–2020 | Hawke's Bay United | 16 | (10) |
| 2020 | Lincoln Red Imps | ||
| 2021 | Cavalry FC | 17 | (3) |
| 2022 | Gudja United | 20 | (4) |
| 2023 | One Knoxville SC | 15 | (0) |
| 2023 | Valour FC | 10 | (0) |
| 2024– | Mġarr United | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2012–2013 | United States U17 | 4+ | (2+) |
| 2013–2014 | United States U18 | ||
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of September 29, 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of December 31, 2014 | |||
Early life
editSelemani was born in Canada in Moncton, New Brunswick, later moving to Windsor, Ontario as a child, before moving to the United States and being raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[1][2] He began playing youth soccer in Canada with Windsor Internationals.[3] From 2009 to 2014, he played with the Michigan CSA Wolves.[4] He attended Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, where he won the district championship with the soccer team in 2011 and was named to the All-State team.[5]
College career
editIn February 2014, he committed to attend the University of Michigan, where he played for the men's soccer team.[6] He made his collegiate debut on August 29 against the FIU Panthers.[7] He scored his first goal on October 26 against the Indiana Hoosiers.[8] At the end of the season, he was named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman Team.[9]
In 2015, he transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara to play for their soccer team.[10] He scored his first goal on September 6, 2015, against the [11][12] On November 11, he scored against the UC Davis Aggies, to propel the team to the Big West Tournament final.[13] At the end of the season, he was named to the All-Big West Conference Second Team.[14] On October 10, 2016, he earned Big West Offensive Player of the Week honors.[15] The following week, he was again named the Big West Offensive Player of the Week and was also named to the College Soccer News Team of the Week.[16][17] At the end of the season, he was named to the All-Big West First Team.[18] He chose to not return for his senior season in 2017 to instead pursue a professional career.[19]
Club career
editIn 2015, he played in the Premier Development League with AFC Ann Arbor in the Great Lakes Premier League.[20]
In 2016, he played with the Ventura County Fusion in the Premier Development League.[21]
In February 2017, Selemani went on trial with Superleague Greece side Panetolikos.[22][23] He subsequently signed a three-year contract with the club.[24][25] In August 2017, he mutually terminated his contract, without having appeared in an official match, electing to return to North America.[26][27]
In July 2018, Selemani signed with second tier Czech National Football League side Vlašim.[28] He also spent some time with their B team in the sixth tier I.A Class, including scoring a hat trick May 20, 2019 against Úvaly.[29]
In October 2019, Selemani signed with New Zealand Football Championship side Hawke's Bay United.[30] He scored 10 goals and added 6 assists in 16 games that season, winning the Hawke's Bay's player of the season award.[31] He was also a runner-up in the league MVP race and was the team's Player's choice player of the year and Coach's choice player of the year.[citation needed]
In July 2020, he joined Gibraltar National League team Lincoln Red Imps.[32][33]
In December 2020, he signed with Canadian Premier League club Cavalry FC for the 2021 season.[34][35] He scored his first goals for the club on June 30, netting a brace in a 4–1 victory over Atlético Ottawa.[36][37]
In January 2022, he signed a short-term deal with Gudja United in the Maltese Premier League.[38][39]
In late December 2022, he joined USL League One side One Knoxville SC, ahead of the 2023 season.[40][41]
In July 2023, Selemani returned to the Canadian Premier League, signing with Valour FC.[42] He made his debut on July 23, in a substitute appearance against York United FC.[43]
In November 2024, he signed with Mġarr United in the Maltese Challenge League.[44]
International career
editSelemani was born in Canada to parents from the DR Congo, and moved to the United States at a young age, and is eligible for all three national teams.[1] In 2012, he began playing with the United States U17 as a member of their residency program. On November 28, 2012, he scored in a friendly against Brazil U17.[45] He was named to the squad for the 2013 CONCACAF U-17 Championship, scoring a goal against Haiti U17.[46] In 2013 and 2014, he was selected to the United States U18 for various tournaments.[47][48] He also spent some time with the United States U20.[49]
Career statistics
edit- As of August 6, 2023[50]
| Club | Season | League | Playoffs | National Cup[a] | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Ventura County Fusion | 2016[21] | Premier Development League | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Panetolikos | 2017–18 | Superleague Greece | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Vlašim | 2018–19 | Czech National Football League | 15 | 2 | — | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 | |
| Hawke's Bay United | 2019–20 | New Zealand Premiership | 16 | 10 | — | — | 16 | 10 | ||
| Lincoln Red Imps | 2020–21 | Gibraltar National League | ? | ? | — | ? | ? | ? | ? | |
| Cavalry FC | 2021 | Canadian Premier League | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
| Gudja United | 2021–22 | Maltese Premier League | 10 | 3 | — | 2 | 1 | 12 | 4 | |
| 2022–23 | 11 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |||
| Total | 20 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 5 | ||
| One Knoxville SC | 2023 | USL League One | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| Valour FC | 2023 | Canadian Premier League | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Career total | 87 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 92 | 20 | ||
- ^ Includes appearances in the Czech Cup, Canadian Championship and Maltese FA Trophy.
References
edit- ^ a b Tait, Ed (July 27, 2023). "Ahinga Selemani: "I don't think people realize the beauty of the CPL at times"". Valour FC.
- ^ Jacques, John (July 22, 2023). "Report: Selemani Set For CPL Return". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Ahinga Selemani: 1-on-1 with Cavalry FC's new forward". Canadian Premier League. March 7, 2021.
- ^ "Ahinga Selemani Michigan profile". Michigan Wolverines.
- ^ "Ahinga Selemani UC Santa Barbara profile". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.
- ^ "Daley Announces Signing of Top Class in School History". Michigan Wolverines. February 12, 2014.
- ^ "U-M Falls to FIU in 2014 Season Opener". Michigan Wolverines. August 29, 2014.
- ^ "Michigan Cannot Sustain Early Advantage, Falls to No. 8 Indiana". Michigan Wolverines. October 26, 2014.
- ^ "McAtee, Arnone Garner All-Big Ten Honors; Two Earn All-Freshman". Michigan Wolverines. November 12, 2014.
- ^ "Men's Soccer Adds Five Marquee Transfers to No. 5 Ranked Recruiting Class". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. February 5, 2015.
- ^ "UCSB Falls to Host Lobos in New Mexico Tournament". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. September 6, 2015.
- ^ "MSoc: Selemani's first goal not enough for Gauchos". Presidio Sports. September 6, 2015.
- ^ Punzal, Barry (November 11, 2015). "MSoc: Selemani's goal lifts Gauchos into Big West final". Presidio Sports.
- ^ "DePuy, Acheampong, Vom Steeg Garner Big West Accolades, Nine Gauchos Named to All-Conference Team". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. November 3, 2015.
- ^ "Selemani Named Player of the Week, Gauchos Set to Host Sac State". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. October 10, 2016.
- ^ "Selemani Garners Weekly Honors From Big West, College Soccer News". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. October 17, 2016.
- ^ "Big Plays Lead Selemani, Elias To Weekly Recognition". Big West Conference. October 17, 2016.
- ^ "DePuy Makes History as Nine Gauchos Named All-Big West". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. November 1, 2016.
- ^ "UC Santa Barbara 2017 Team and Recruiting Class Review". College Soccer News. March 8, 2017.
- ^ Hicks, Justin P. (May 25, 2015). "AFC Ann Arbor drops 2-1 Memorial Day Classic match to Michigan Sporting". MLive Media Group.
- ^ a b "Ahinga Selemani 2016 PDL Stats". USL League Two.
- ^ "Τσεκάρει Σελεμανί ο Παναιτωλικός!" [Panaitolikos Selemani checks!]. Αγρίνιο Culture (in Greek). February 7, 2017.
- ^ "Αυτός είναι ο Σελεμανί που δοκιμάζει ο Παναιτωλικός!" [This is Selemani that Panaitolikos is testing!]. Talent About (in Greek). February 17, 2017.
- ^ "Έφυγε από τον Παναιτωλικό ο Σελεμανί" [Selemani left Panaitolikos]. Sport24 (in Greek). August 23, 2017.
- ^ Ντυμένος, Γιώργος (Dymenos, Giorgos) (February 16, 2017). "Το "λαβράκι" του Παναιτωλικού που λέγεται Σελεμανί" [The "bass" of Panaitolikos called Selemani]. Gazzetta (in Greek).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Τέλος ο Σελεμανί!" [Finally Selemani!]. Agrinio Sports (in Greek). August 23, 2017.
- ^ Ντυμένος, Γιώργος (Dymenos, Giorgos) (August 23, 2017). "Παναιτωλικός: Παρελθόν ο Σελεμανί" [Panaitolikos: Past Selemani]. Gazzetta (in Greek).
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Hammerová, Lída (July 20, 2018). "Fotbalisté Vlašimi chtějí být opět v první polovině tabulky" [Vlašimi footballers want to be in the first half of the table again]. Domaci Noviny (in Czech).
- ^ Paýr, Jiří (May 20, 2019). "Výhru béčka režíroval Selemani" [The win was directed by Selemani]. FC Sellier & Bellot Vlašim (in Czech).
- ^ Singh, Anendra (October 30, 2019). "Football: Hawke's Bay United inject pivotal import trio to provide impetus". Hawke's Bay Today.
- ^ "Everything you need to know about Cavalry's Ahinga Selemani". Eikon Sports. December 10, 2020.
- ^ "New Signings: Three Added to the Squad". Lincoln Red Imps FC. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Ahinga Selemani joins European club". Oceania Football Center. July 27, 2020.
- ^ "Cavalry FC signs Canadian Born Ahinga Selemani to the 2021 Roster". Cavalry FC. December 10, 2020.
- ^ Jacques, John (December 10, 2020). "Cavalry FC Inks Dual National Ahinga Selemani". Northern Tribune.
- ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (June 30, 2023). "Highlights: Selemani brace lifts Cavalry past Atlético Ottawa in 4-1 win". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Saelhof, Todd (June 30, 2021). "Cavalry, Selemani cruise to bubble's second win over Atletico Ottawa". Calgary Sun.
- ^ Jacques, John (January 9, 2022). "Ahinga Selemani Lands In Malta". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Gudja United sign Canadian forward Ahinga Selemani". Times of Malta. January 11, 2022.
- ^ "Signed: Ahinga Selemani". One Knoxville SC. 27 December 2022.
- ^ Jacques, John (December 28, 2022). "Selemani Signs With One Knoxville SC". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Valour FC sign Canadian forward Ahinga Selemani". Valour FC. July 22, 2023.
- ^ Tierney, Mitchell (July 23, 2023). "Highlights: Valour FC 1-2 York United — CPL Match #65". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ "Tough test for Zebbug, hunt for Top 8 spot in full swing". Maltese Football Association. November 22, 2024.
- ^ Sharrett, Cody (November 29, 2012). "Selemani scores, Swanson goes 90 in eight goal thriller vs. Brazil". Columbus Crew.
- ^ "U.S. U-17 Men's National Team opens CONCACAF Championship with 3-0 win over Haiti". Soccerwire. August 8, 2013.
- ^ Sharrett, Cody (October 2, 2013). "CSA's Selemani, Swanson named to U.S. U-18 roster for France Tournament". Columbus Crew.
- ^ Sharrett, Cody. "Selemani, Swanson included on U.S. U-18 roster". Columbus Crew.
- ^ "Τσεκάρει Σελεμανί ο Παναιτωλικός" [Panaitolikos checks Selemani]. Agrinio Press (in Greek). February 7, 2017.
- ^ Ahinga Selemani at Soccerway
External links
edit- Ahinga Selemani at Soccerway
- Ahinga Selemani at Maltese Football Association