Stephen Afrifa
{{short description|Canadian soccer player}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Stephen Afrifa
| image =
| caption =
| full_name = Stephen Afrifa-Kodua
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2001|2|19}}
| birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Sporting Kansas City
| clubnumber = 30
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Rexdale SC
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Woodbridge Strikers
| collegeyears1 = 2019–2022
| college1 = FIU Panthers
| collegecaps1 = 63
| collegegoals1 = 23
| years1 = 2018 | clubs1 = Woodbridge Strikers | caps1 = 2 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2022 | clubs2 = One Knoxville SC | caps2 = 13 | goals2 = 8
| years3 = 2023– | clubs3 = Sporting Kansas City | caps3 = 30 | goals3 = 4
| years4 = 2023– | clubs4 = → Sporting Kansas City II (loan) | caps4 = 11 | goals4 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2024–
| nationalteam1 = Canada
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = June 14, 2025
| nationalteam-update = September 10, 2024
}}
Stephen Afrifa-Kodua (born February 19, 2001) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a forward for Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City and the Canada national team.
College career
In 2019, Afrifa began attending Florida International University, where he played for the men's soccer team.{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2019/8/28/mens-soccer-introduces-newcomers.aspx|title=Men's Soccer Welcomes Newcomers|date=August 28, 2019|work=FIU Panthers}} He made his collegiate debut on August 30, 2019 against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies.{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2019/8/31/mens-soccer-panthers-rout-bonnies-in-season-opener.aspx|title=Panthers Rout Bonnies in Season Opener|date=August 31, 2019|work=FIU Panthers}} The following day, he scored his first collegiate goal, in a victory over the James Madison Dukes.{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2019/8/31/mens-soccer-fiu-downs-james-madison-at-home.aspx|title=FIU Downs No. 17 James Madison at Home|date=August 31, 2019|work=FIU Panthers}} After his junior season in 2021, he was named to the All-Conference USA First Team and the All-Southeast Region First Team.{{Cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2021/11/9/mens-soccer-fiu-mens-soccer-garners-10-all-conference-usa-selections.aspx|title=FIU Men's Soccer Garners 10 All-Conference USA Selections|date=November 9, 2021|work=FIU Panthers}}{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2021/12/7/mens-soccer-fiu-places-four-panthers-on-united-soccer-coaches-all-region-teams.aspx|title=FIU Places Four Panthers on United Soccer Coaches All-Region Teams|date=December 7, 2021|work=FIU Panthers}}
Ahead of his senior season in 2022, he was named to the United Soccer Coaches Watch List and the AAC Preseason All-Conference Team.{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2022/8/16/mens-soccer-afrifa-named-to-united-soccer-coaches-watch-list.aspx|title=Afrifa Named to United Soccer Coaches Watch List|date=August 16, 2022|work=FIU Panthers}}{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2022/8/23/mens-soccer-three-panthers-earn-preseason-all-conference.aspx|title=Three Panthers Earn Preseason All-Conference Honors|date=August 23, 2022|work=FIU Panthers}} That season, he was twice named the AAC Offensive Player of the Week.{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2022/9/5/mens-soccer-afrifa-and-harr-named-the-american-players-of-the-week.aspx|title=Afrifa and Harr Named The American Players of the Week|date=September 5, 2022|work=FIU Panthers}}{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2022/9/19/mens-soccer-fius-stephen-afrifa-named-american-athletic-conference-offensive-player-of-the-week.aspx|title=September 19, 2023|work=FIU Panthers}} That season, he led the in goals scored with 10 and added four assists for a total of 24 points, which were all career highs for him.{{Cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2022/12/21/mens-soccer-stephen-afrifa-selected-eighth-overall-by-sporting-kansas-city-in-mls-superdraft.aspx|title=Stephen Afrifa Selected Eighth Overall by Sporting Kansas City in MLS SuperDraft|date=December 21, 2023|first=Achilles|last=Carmenate|work=FIU Panthers}}{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/stephen--afrifa/10032|title=Stephen Afrifa FIU profile|work=FIU Panthers}} He helped FIU to win the 2022 American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles and was named the AAC Championship Most Outstanding Offensive Player and was named to the All-Tournament team.{{cite web|url=https://www.thebluetestament.com/2022/12/21/23521663/sporting-kansas-city-selects-stephen-afrifa-with-the-eighth-pick-in-the-mls-superdraft-12-21-22|title=Sporting Kansas City selects Stephen Afrifa with the eighth pick in the MLS SuperDraft|date=December 21, 2023|first=Thad|last=Bell|work=The Blue Testament}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingkc.com/news/sporting-kc-signs-22-year-old-forward-stephen-afrifa|title=Sporting KC signs 22-year-old forward Stephen Afrifa|date=April 26, 2023|first=Sam|last=Kovzan|work=Sporting Kansas City}} At the end of the season he was named to the All-AAC First Team,{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2022/11/9/mens-soccer-mens-soccer-places-five-players-on-all-aac-teams.aspx|title=Men's Soccer Places Five on The American's All-Conference Teams|first=Achilles|last=Carmenate|date=November 9, 2022|work=FIU Panthers}} All-East Region First Team,{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2022/12/8/mens-soccer-afrifa-and-scheckermann-named-to-usc-all-east-region-teams.aspx|title=Afrifa and Scheckermann Named to USC All-East Region Teams|date=December 8, 2022|first=Achilles|last=Carmenate|work=FIU Panthers}} and the All-America Second Team.{{Cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2022/12/8/mens-soccer-stephen-afrifa-named-united-soccer-coaches-first-team-all-america.aspx|title=Stephen Afrifa Named United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-America|date=December 8, 2022|first=Achilles|last=Carmenate|work=FIU Panthers}}{{cite web|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2022/12/9/mens-soccer-ahlander-afrifa-fazio-earn-all-america-honors.aspx|title=Ahlander, Afrifa, Fazio Earn All-America Honors|date=December 9, 2022|work=American Athletic Conference}} He was also named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is awarded to the top collegiate player of the season.{{cite web|url=https://fiusports.com/news/2022/12/7/mens-soccer-stephen-afrifa-named-hermann-trophy-semifinalist.aspx|title=Stephen Afrifa Named Hermann Trophy Semifinalist|first=Achilles|last=Carmenate|date=December 7, 2022|work=FIU Panthers}} Over his four seasons, he scored 23 goals and added 11 assists in 63 appearances.{{cite web|title=Sporting KC selects Stephen Afrifa from FIU with No. 8 pick in annual MLS SuperDraft|date=December 21, 2022|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/sporting-kc/article270242507.html|first=Daniel|last=Sperry|work=The Kansas City Star}}{{Cite web|title=Canada's Bombito, Afrifa selected in top 10 of MLS SuperDraft|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/mls/mls-super-draft-moise-bombito-canada-soccer-colorado-rapids-1.6694520|date=December 21, 2022|work=CBC Sports}}
Club career
In 2018, Afrifa played with the Woodbridge Strikers in League1 Ontario, making two appearances.{{Cite web|url=https://www.league1ontario.com/roster_players/26180967?subseason=490480|title=Stephen Afrifa-Kodua 2018 L1O Stats|website=League1 Ontario}}
In March 2022, he joined One Knoxville SC in USL League Two.{{cite web|url=https://www.wvlt.tv/2022/03/08/one-knoxville-sporting-club-reveals-player-lineup-including-5-knoxville-natives/|title=One Knoxville Sporting Club reveals player lineup, including 5 Knoxville natives|date=March 8, 2022|first=Camruinn|last=Morgan-Rumsey|work=WVLT-TV}} He scored 10 goals for the side between the season and the playoffs.
In December 2022, he was selected in the first round (eighth overall) in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingkc.com/news/sporting-kc-selects-forward-stephen-afrifa-and-defender-chris-rindov-in-mls-supe|title=Sporting KC selects forward Stephen Afrifa and defender Chris Rindov in MLS SuperDraft 2023 presented by adidas|date=December 21, 2023|first=Sam|last=Kovzan|work=Sporting Kansas City}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kshb.com/sports/sporting-kc/sporting-kc-selects-forward-stephen-afrifa-in-2023-mls-superdraft|title=Sporting KC selects forward Stephen Afrifa in 2023 MLS SuperDraft|date=December 21, 2022|first=Wilson|last=Truong|work=KSHB-TV}} In April 2023, he signed a professional contract with the club for the 2023 season, with club options from 2024 to 2026.{{Cite web|url=https://kcsoccerjournal.com/dom-dwyer-not-signing-afrifa-signs-open-cup-opponent-sporting-kc/04/28/2023/|title=Dom Dwyer Not Signing, Afrifa Signs, Open Cup Opponent|date=April 28, 2023|work=KC Soccer Journal|first=Chad|last=Smith}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/sporting-kansas-city-sign-forward-stephen-afrifa|title=Sporting Kansas City sign forward Stephen Afrifa|date=April 26, 2023|work=Major League Soccer}} He made his MLS debut on May 17, in a substitute appearance against Los Angeles FC.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingkc.com/news/recap-russell-nets-equalizer-as-sporting-extends-unbeaten-run-in-1-1-draw-at-laf|title=Recap: Russell nets equalizer as Sporting extends unbeaten run in 1-1 draw at LAFC|date=May 18, 2023|first=Sam|last=Kovzan|work=Sporting Kansas City}} He also spent some time that season with the second team, Sporting Kansas City II, in MLS Next Pro, scoring his first professional goal on July 2, in a 7-1 victory over Whitecaps FC 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingkc.com/skcii/news/recap-sporting-kc-ii-wipes-out-whitecaps-fc-2-7-1-at-rock-chalk-park|title=Recap: Sporting KC II wipes out Whitecaps FC 2 7-1 at Rock Chalk Park|date=July 2, 2023|first=Jared|last=Belzer|work=Sporting Kansas City}}{{cite web|url=https://www2.ljworld.com/sports/2023/jul/03/sporting-kc-ii-opens-july-with-7-1-blowout-over-whitecaps-fc-2/|title=Sporting KC II opens July with 7-1 blowout over Whitecaps FC 2|date=July 3, 2023|first=Connor|last=Becker|work=Lawrence Journal-World}}
International career
In February 2024, Afrifa was named to the Canadian provisional roster for the 2024 Copa América qualifying play-offs against Trinidad and Tobago.{{cite web |title=Concacaf Nations League Play-In preliminary rosters announced|url=https://www.concacaf.com/nations-league/news/concacaf-nations-league-play-in-preliminary-rosters-announced/|publisher=Concacaf.com |access-date=February 26, 2024 |date=February 26, 2024 |archive-date= |archive-url=|url-status=}} In August 2024, he received his first main squad call-up to Canada ahead of friendlies against the United States and Mexico.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingkc.com/news/sporting-kc-forward-stephen-afrifa-selected-to-canada-men-s-national-team-for-september-friendlies|date=August 27, 2024|title=Sporting KC forward Stephen Afrifa selected to Canada Men’s National Team for September friendlies|first=Sam|last=Kovsan|work=Sporting Kansas City}} Afrifa made his debut in the first friendly against the USA on September 7, as a late substitute in a 2-1 victory.{{cite web|url=https://canadiansoccerdaily.com/2024/09/07/canada-blow-usmnt-out-the-water-as-shaffelburg-david-give-canmnt-emphatic-2-1-win/|date=September 7, 2024|title=Canada blow USMNT out the water as Shaffelburg, David give CanMNT emphatic 2-1 win|first=Tom|last=Nightingale|work=Canadian Soccer Daily}}
Personal
Afrifa is of Ghanaian descent.{{cite web|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/conference-usa/florida-international-university/article266082791.html|title=FIU scorer Stephen Afrifa is up to speed as the Panthers' top scoring threat|date=September 21, 2022|first=Walter|last=Villa|work=Miami Herald}} He has a twin brother, Simon, who also played soccer with him at FIU.{{cite web|url=https://www.wbir.com/article/sports/one-knoxville-sc-soccer-east-tennessee/51-e4673c04-41ae-47b0-9fcf-21b0d00dbfa2|title=The brotherly connection for One Knoxville SC|date=July 29, 2022|first=Karthik|last=Venkataraman|work=WBIR-TV}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played June 14, 2025}}{{Soccerway|stephen-afrifa/906228}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbridge Strikers
|2018 |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| One Knoxville SC
|2022 |13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 10 | ||||
| rowspan="4"|Sporting Kansas City
|2023 |rowspan="3"|Major League Soccer |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2024
|24 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 30 | 6 | |
| 2025
|3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 38 | 6 | |
| rowspan="4"|Sporting Kansas City II (loan)
|2023 |rowspan="3"|MLS Next Pro |8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 9 | 1 | ||||
| 2024
|2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2025
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!55 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 66 | 17 |
=International=
{{updated|match played September 10, 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals | ||
| Canada
|2024 | 2 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total||2||0 |
|---|
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerway|stephen-afrifa/906228}}
{{Sporting Kansas City squad}}
{{2023 MLS SuperDraft}}
{{SportingKCFirstPick}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Afrifa, Stephen}}
Category:Canadian people of Ghanaian descent
Category:Sportspeople of Ghanaian descent
Category:Soccer players from Toronto
Category:Canadian men's soccer players
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:FIU Panthers men's soccer players
Category:Woodbridge Strikers players
Category:One Knoxville SC players
Category:Sporting Kansas City draft picks
Category:Sporting Kansas City players
Category:Sporting Kansas City II players
Category:League1 Ontario players
Category:USL League Two players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:Canada men's international soccer players
Category:Canadian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Canadian expatriate sportspeople in the United States
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States