He was born in Mali, West Africa and lived there until he was 17. He started playing soccer at the age of 4 and has played on the De Anza College soccer team until his graduation this spring. 

He says that he’s had to overcome many obstacles in his life, including a five-year back injury, a three-year ankle injury, and a total loss of fitness as well as major weight gain that followed. But he says that of all those obstacles, the biggest obstacle he faced was the way he was treated by others during his hard times. Yet through hard work, patience, and faith, he was able to overcome.

As someone who has been around longer than any of the other players, Demba has seen both good and the bad times. He was part of the division and conference winning team of 2007 and also part of this year’s team, which he says, was the worst year as a program. 

But says, “I would not trade [the good times] for anything; times when we were fighting so hard for our school and times where you meet so many great people and share so much. De Anza provides a lot in terms of personnel, places, and experiences that no other place can offer.”

 Demba has enjoyed working under Colin Lindores, who has been like a grandfather figure to him and the team. “[Colin Lindores] is one of the most respectful, responsible, mature, wise and humble person that I have ever had the honor to came across in my life, as his people skills will get everything out of a player,” Demba says. Current coach Mark Landefeld is doing a great job with the program, Demba adds.

Demba’s most memorable game was this past Fall against current State Champions Mount San Antonio in Los Angeles.

 He recalls. “I think I covered more ground that day than any other day in my life and so did my teammates. We unfortunately lost to two late penalty kicks, but it was one those few days I felt so proud of being part of the program.”

Demba will pursue a bachelors and masters in History and Kinesiology at Cal State East Bay, along with coaching licenses in the next three years. He says he plans to coach and teach at the community college level and hopes to someday coach international level.

 He credits many for his success: God, his late grandmother, Mother Theresa, John Paul II, Michael Jackson, London Donovan, Thierry Henry, and Colin Lindores.