2026/27 Men's Soccer Season Preview
Blazers Men's Soccer made their first-ever appearance at a CCAA Nationals in November of 2025, where they made history taking home the first regulation win by an MCAC side at the tournament.
Coming off an incredible 2025 outdoor campaign, Blazers Men's Soccer has managed to hold onto a number of its biggest roster pieces from that championship squad, but has also seen some key pieces end their time with the program, leading head coach Gode Katembo to re-tool as CMU gets set to defend the MCAC title for the first time since 2019.
Blazers Athletics continues its 2026/27 team previews with the Blazers Men's Soccer team, noting new additions, key returnees, and losses to the lineup heading into the season:
Outgoing Players
While the program didn't officially graduate any players from last year's squad, there are a number of players moving on to other academic pursuits, or choosing to end their careers after the historic nationals run. First among those leaving is captain JP Murhabazi, who is planning to enter the field of law, while Academic All-Canadian Messager Mumbere is also closing his collegiate career and moving on to additional studies at the University of Manitoba. Would-be senior Riko Tore Cabrera is stepping back from the team while he completes his studies at CMU, winger Osama Al Ali ended his time with the team on a red card and isn't expected to compete again after serving that suspension, while 2025/26 rookies Pavlo Fesyk, Amos Rukundo, Anotida Mugadza, and AY Ayeni are all not expected to return this season.
Incoming Recruits
Filling those holes in the lineup are a number of new recruits and additions to the squad including signees David Gomez, Adrian Rengifo, Aidan Cabral, Jaxen Neufeld thus far, with a potential for one or two more to be added yet this summer. Also drawing back into training are defender Dolapo Adeyemo and midfielder Issac Milambo, both of whom sustained major injuries previously, and sat out last season. Add into the mix Arsen Kazmirchuk, who was signed last summer and was only able to begin his post-secondary studies in the winter, and head coach Gode Katembo looks to have a lot of his biggest openings filled for the season.
David Gomez | 5'9" Midfielder | St Lawrence College | London Whitecaps
The Blazers' first signing of the off-season added strength up the middle, and a college-ready game as the OCAA transfer and St Lawrence Surge rookie of the year has the ability to win balls and distribute up the pitch. Look for Gomez to make an instant impact on the squad, potentially filling some of the minutes vacated by Messager Mumbere.
Coach's Quote: "David is the type of player every coach wants in their midfield. Intelligent, composed, and fearless under pressure. What impresses me most is not only his technical ability but also his understanding of the game and his ability to control the rhythm in key moments. We are excited about the leadership, creativity, and competitiveness he will bring to our program and team culture."
Adrian Rengifo | 5'9" Midfielder | Naciones Unidas | FC Sich
A Peruvian national, Rengifo joins a crowded midfield, but also has the ability to move to the wing, and gives head coach Gode Katembo plenty of versatility and depth, especially when planning for physically demanding double-header weekends.
Coach's Quote: "Adrian is a very creative attacking midfielder with the ability to unlock defences and distribute the ball effectively to our wingers. His vision, composure, and attacking mindset will be a strong asset for us this season. We're excited to welcome him to CMU Men's Soccer and look forward to seeing his impact on the pitch."
Aiden Cabral | 5'9" Attacking Midfielder | River East Collegiate | Northern United Club
Another 5'9" midfielder added into the mix, the addition of Cabral creates an embarassment of riches in the middle of the pitch. With the ability to both attack and defend, look for Cabral to be an aggressive player much like outgoing JP Murhabazi, with a technical side that could make him a factor right from the first whistle to the last.
Coach's Quote: "We're excited to welcome Aidan to the CMU Men's Soccer family. He brings creativity in the attacking third, strong technical ability, and an excellent understanding of the game. Beyond his talent on the ball, we believe his character, work ethic, and competitive mindset will make him an important addition to our program."
Jaxen Neufeld | 5'1" Winger | Glenlawn Collegiate | South End United Club
Like all his fellow 2026 signees, Jaxen Neufeld is a mature add to the team, having been out of high school for a couple of years. Don't let the winger's size fool you, Neufeld comes to CMU with a championship-winning resume, and could be playing opposite another Caribbean product Romaine Francis as part of the Blazers' attack come season's start.
Coach's Quote: "Jaxen has a strong football IQ and reads the game exceptionally well. His composure under pressure and ability to impact key moments make him a very exciting player for our program. Beyond his technical quality, he brings the work ethic, competitiveness, and mentality that align perfectly with the culture we are building at CMU."
Returning to the Roster
The 2025 MCAC Champions are returning too many core players to name them all here, but key among them will be captain Tristen Holfeld, who will return for his third season and hope to build on his MCAC All-Conference run. CCAA All-Canadian Romaine Francis was brutally fouled in the team's final match of the CCAA nationals, but has managed a fairly speedy recovery and the legend is set to return for a fifth and final season with the Blazers looking for another title. MCAC Championships MVP Taiwo Oshode was a clutch factor in both the team's title-winning contest, as well as the historic regulation win at CCAA Nationals, and is expected to come into the season in good form after training and playing in the newly minted Prairie Premier League this summer. Finally, MCAC Rookie of the Year Nicholas Pavao was uncertain to return to CMU early in the spring after considering opportunities to play professionally in Europe, but has committed to another season with the Blazers and will undoubtedly be a fixture in the starting XI for the season.
Another bright star in the lineup last season was rookie Siem Petros, who used his size and speed along the wing to outpace defenders, or shutdown the opposition attack when playing deeper in the formation. Rookie goalkeeper Nicolas Peterson was a revelation in net and was a difference-maker throughout the Blazers' playoff run. Rookie striker Mahamat Khamis gave opposition defenders fits all season in 2025, with the speed to make runs in behind the back line, and the hope is that a healthy forward group of Khamis, Francis, and likely Jaxen Neufeld or returnee Issac Milambo on the wing, the Blazers will possess an attack that will challenge any team in the conference.
It would seem the Blazers will possess the deepest and most talented core of midfielders in the league with the likes of MCAC award-winners Pavao, Holfeld, and Oshode all returning, and college-ready additions Gomez, Cabral, and Rengifo in the mix as well, head coach Gode Katembo will likely have more of an issue of getting all his stars minutes, than worrying about controlling the middle of the pitch. The biggest question remains on the Blazers' back end, with defenders Amos Rukundo and Pavlo Fesyk both departing, Katembo is looking for another central defender to shore up his back line. Noah Schindel enters his final season as an option to take back more starting minutes, while Ethan Bourke was a consistent top-performer in the lineup last year. Fullbacks Leju James and Aiden Edwards showed well with limited play and could be used if standout Ismail Karim remains questionable to return.
Blazers head coach Gode Katembo will certainly have his hands full slotting in his crop of recruits and returnees into the lineup, with a roster that he believes will rival his championship-winning squad from last season, with possilby more additions to come. Depth is no doubt a good problem to have as the college schedule can take a toll on players with most weekends seeing back-to-back competition days.
The team's first test of the pre-season will be a Northern Alberta swing through Edmonton to face the King's University Eagles, and NAIT Ooks, in a rematch of day two at the 2025 CCAA Nationals, as well as the Lakeland College Rustlers on the return trip. Once conference season play wraps up, the top seed will once-again earn the right to host the MCAC Soccer Championships, when the Blazers hope to defend their title and head back to Edmonton for CCAA Nationals in early November.
Print This Article