By Ryan Makuch
AFCAA are pleased to announce the addition of Junior Nare ahead of the 2022 USL League Two season. The Johannesburg-native has represented South Africa at the U20 and U17 levels.
Nare, from 2017 to 2019, was part of several U17 and U20 tournaments for South Africa. In 2017, he helped South Africa reach the semi-finals of the COSAFA U17 Championships, where he earned the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals in the tournament. In 2018, he would be part of that same tournament, helping his side reach the final. Then, in 2019, he represented his nation at the U20 All-Africa Games.
Nare acknowledges the benefit that playing internationally has had on his ability. “[International football] has exposed me to a different level of football where you have to think quicker and play quicker while still keeping your quality, or else you get punished.” He would also add, “Not just the U17, but playing against older guys in the U20 team taught me a lot about my physical condition, and also I learned to stay away from unnecessary challenges as most of those guys were physically stronger than me.”
Since starring on a youth level, Nare has also been a standout for La Salle University, where he just completed his sophomore campaign. As a freshman, Nare was named to the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie Team as he led his side with eight points and three goals. Nare continued his excellent performances as a sophomore, logging the second most goals for the team with six.
As a sophomore, Nare appeared in all 16 of La Salle’s matches, starting in 14 of them. In September, Nare had a three-game stretch where he scored in three consecutive games, all over the course of eight days. Nare also ended the season by scoring two goals in the final three games, with the second, and game-winning, goal over George Mason in a 4-1 victory on the last day of the regular season.
In addition to his exploits both internationally and collegiately, Nare is also no stranger to the Great Lakes Conference of USL League Two. Nare spent the 2021 summer season in South Bend with one of AFCAA’s newest rivals, the South Bend Lions. Over ten games and 346 minutes, Nare logged two goals and bagged an assist over the season, and he gained valuable experience for this upcoming season with AFCAA.
“Junior is a welcome new addition,” said Club Sporting Director Eric Rudland. “He’s a dynamic attacking player who can help us in the final third. He has an array of attributes that will fit well into our attacking schemes. We’re really excited to have him joining us.”
Nare seemed to agree with the Sporting Director’s assessment of his skills, as he self-analyzed, “I would say I’m a dynamic player who can play in tight spaces and thrives in 1v1 situations. I am a pacey, skillful forward with an eye for goal.”
When asked why AFCAA, Nare pointed to the excellent treatment of the pre-professional players under the care of the club. “The fact that AFCAA offers food and housing was the deciding factor for me, as I am an international student and cannot afford to pay for that myself because I do not work,” Nare would say. In regards to on-pitch expectations, Nare is hopeful that this summer would also aid in boosting his notoriety, and joining the likes of Joseph Okumu, AZ Liadi, and Stephen Turnbull in the professional ranks.
“I am looking to develop and grow my game so I can play at the highest level and also I feel like USL2 and AFCAA are a good stepping stone in getting exposure to higher level teams and getting my name out there.”
We would like to give another warm welcome to Junior Nare ahead of the 2022 campaign, and we look forward to welcome him to Ann Arbor alongside the rest of the men’s and women’s squads.
About AFC Ann Arbor
Association Football Club Ann Arbor (AFC Ann Arbor) was founded in 2014 and competes in USL2 (men’s) and USLW (women’s) national amateur leagues. We are a community-based club, focused on equity, justice, and anti-racism. We consider all of our stakeholders, including supporters, players, staff, and ownership to be part of the #AFCAAFamily. Come On You Mighty Oak!