For Abel Nesibu, the dream of playing soccer overseas was never something distant or impossible. It was a goal that steadily grew alongside his development as a player during his time with the Mount Royal University Cougars, a program that helped shape both his career and his identity.

Now continuing his career while playing division one soccer in New Zealand, Nesibu's journey reflects years of growth, sacrifice and belief. From competing on local Calgary pitches to testing himself in a new soccer culture on the other side of the globe, his progression has been built on constant development and a willingness to embrace the unfamiliar.

Nesibu described his path to MRU as "organic" and attributes the start to his journey to a chance encounter. While playing for his local club, Nesibu caught the attention of head coach Ryan Gyaki, who approached him after a strong performance to discuss the possibility of joining the Cougars program.

That conversation became the starting point of a university career filled with both team success and personal growth.

"My time at MRU was honestly unbelievable, both on and off the field," Nesibu said. "I was able to create so many great memories with my teammates, who I now see as family for life. It was a really special environment to be part of."

On the field, Nesibu was part of one of the most successful stretches in program history. During his time with the Cougars, the team captured a Canada West championship, a Canada West silver medal and two bronze medals.

Those experiences helped reinforce his belief that U SPORTS soccer could provide a legitimate pathway for players seeking a higher level of play when their university days are done.

"I definitely think U SPORTS programs, especially MRU, can be a very strong pathway for players looking to play professionally," he said. "If you look at the growth of the program and where it's at now, it speaks for itself."

While the thought of playing overseas had always existed in the back of his mind, it became more realistic as his university career progressed.




"I've always had the idea of playing overseas in the back of my mind," Nesibu said. "As I got further into my university career, that belief became more concrete. I knew that once I finished my degree, I wanted to give it a real shot—to test myself at a higher level, experience a different style of soccer, and immerse myself in a new soccer culture."

When an opportunity in New Zealand presented itself, the decision to pursue the opportunity again felt like an organic and natural next step.

"When the opportunity in New Zealand came up, my first reaction was excitement," he said. "The idea of playing in a completely different environment and continuing to grow in the game I love was something that really motivated me. This is something I've wanted to do since I was young, and once the opportunity presented itself, I knew I had to take it."

Nesibu credits MRU for preparing him not only for the demands of adapting to a brand new level of soccer, but also for the personal challenges that come with moving to a brand new country. He says the MRU program properly prepared him for this transition because it pushes players to improve in every aspect of life.

"My time at MRU played a huge role in preparing me for this opportunity, both on and off the field," he said. "We had a coaching staff that demanded the best from you every day—they pushed you to grow, develop, and constantly improve, not just as a player but as a person as well."

Still, the transition has not come without challenges along the way.

For Nesibu, the hardest adjustment has been the distance from family and friends back home in Canada. Navigating the time difference while being separated from the people closest to him has proven to be an emotional challenge for him.
"The biggest adjustment has definitely been being so far away from my friends and family," he said. "That's probably been the toughest part overall, just adjusting to being in a completely different environment without the people you're used to having around every day."

At the same time, the experience has forced him to grow in ways he never expected.

"This experience has taught me a lot about myself, especially in terms of growth," Nesibu said. "It's reinforced the mindset that there's always room to grow—not just on the field, but off it as well."

According to Nesibu, playing in a different country has also changed the way he understands the game. Exposure to new systems and styles of play has forced him to become more adaptable and think differently as a player.

"You're exposed to different formations, tactics, and styles of play, and it pushes you out of what you're used to," he said. "Because of that, you have to learn quickly, adjust on the go, and really take in as much information as possible."

As he continues building his career overseas, Nesibu remains focused on seeing how far soccer can take him. Whether his future remains on the pitch, moves into coaching or combining his academic background with the sport, he knows soccer will continue to be part of his life.

"Going forward, I definitely want to continue pursuing soccer and see how far it can take me," he said. "I'd love to keep the game in my life in any way possible. Whether that's through playing, coaching, or something else within the soccer space, it's something I'm really passionate about."

Abel Nesibu graduated from MRU in 2025 with a business accounting degree.