The Columbia Capitals boys soccer team captured the Region 3-2A title and completed a perfect 10-0 region record following a 4-1 win over the Mid-Carolina Rebels on April 11.
“This means a lot to us, to me, and to our team,” Columbia head coach Pierre Fome said. “We’ve been playing for many, many years and come in second in the region many times. Winning the region really means a lot to me, the players, and to my community. It’s a huge victory for all of us.”
Fome has been the head coach at Columbia since 2010. This marks his third region title as Capitals head coach. He’s made the playoffs in every year but his first two seasons in Columbia and the COVID-19 year.
“It’s really something,” Fome said. “We’ve been with this group of boys since they were in middle school. We’ve worked with them every year.
“We built up the program, and every time we feel we are ready to win when the boys have matured, something has happened. In 2020, we were ready for a state championship and then COVID-19 came that year. We were very disappointed. Most of my players graduated that year and we had to start over fresh. We worked and today here we are now. We are very happy that the boys are on top. We are ready to go as far as we can in the coming playoffs in May.”
Columbia has posted a winning record each year since COVID, with the Capitals best year coming in 2022 when they finished 15-6 overall and made it to the second round of the 2A playoffs. This year’s 12-1 overall record marks the best start under Fome. The longtime head coach said his guys have been more focused and determined.
To further prepare his team for the playoffs, Fome has scheduled 5A Dutch Fork and 4A Dreher to close out the regular season.
“These are big schools,” Fome said. “I’m asking my boys to give them all they have and to see if we can defeat them. If we can that’ll be great.”
A big part of Columbia’s success this year has been its defense, which has allowed 14 goals total. Keeper Ekundu Jules leads the defense. The backline consists of Derike Mazembe, Musa Robert, Gaspard Mlima, and Eh Tha Taw.
Offensively, the Capitals have averaged around 5.6 goals per game. Midfielder Fiston Kabwe is the game changer for Columbia. He’s joined by midfielder Clinton Mazembe and striker Franck Hendju.
It’s been quite the season for the Capitals. While challenges remain to close out the season, the team’s ability to succeed in May will show just how special this season can be.
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