'Q-Tip' Akale brings scoring, unique story to New Mexico United

It’s no stretch to say Mukwelle Akale has been chasing soccer balls around the world for most of his life.

Next stop New Mexico.

Akale, a 26-year-old forward with a unique history, officially signed with New Mexico United on Wednesday. He brings impressive credentials — 11 goals, five assists and 38 chances created for USL League One’s South Georgia Tormenta last season where he was named the club’s Player of the Year.

Akale’s first full season of American pro soccer intrigued NMU coach Eric Quill and sporting director Itamar Keinan.

“At the end of last season I got a text from them,” Akale said in a Zoom interview Wednesday. “We ended up having a 30-minute discussion about New Mexico United, what the club was all about and everything. We have the same ideas about the game, the same style of play. It went really well.”

Akale, who goes by “Kwelle” or the nickname, “Q-Tip,” has the skillset to help fill a roster hole for NMU. Two of the club’s top offensive threats, Amando Moreno and Justin Portillo, signed elsewhere during this offseason, but in recent days United has announced the return of Chris Wehan along with Akale’s signing.

“Mukwelle is a terrific attacker with a nose for the goal and a winning mentality,” Keinan said in a club release. “His football intelligence is off the charts, and we’re excited for the impact that he will undoubtedly make in the black and yellow.”

Akale has not yet visited New Mexico but said he’s looking forward to exploring the state. New terrain is hardly a new concept for Akale, who already has lived a jaw-dropping soccer journey.

An abridged version starts with a youthful Akale and his father racking up miles on the family car traveling back and forth from Minneapolis to a soccer residence academy in Florida. Akale’s burst, creativity and powerful left foot landed him spots on U.S. National age-group teams up to U-20 and, eventually, led him across the Atlantic to Spain’s Villareal Club de Futbol.

Starting at age 17, Akale spent six years climbing the ladder from Villareal’s club program to its upper levels. He later signed with Pafos FC in Cyprus in 2020 but returned home when his mother became seriously ill. She passed away shortly afterward, and Akale eventually ended up canceling his contract with Pafos.

Back in the United States, Akale spent time training with MLS Minnesota United and planned his return to soccer. The plan was set back by an ACL tear in 2021 but he returned to action with South Georgia late in the 2022 season — his first American soccer since 2016. Akale followed up with a standout season with the club in 2023.

Fully healthy and back in form, Akale said he’s now looking forward to testing himself with USL Championship New Mexico. Asked what he expects to bring to the table, Akale smiled.

“Creating goals, creating chances,” he said. “Obviously I’ll work hard on defense and do what’s necessary to help the team, but offensive players get paid for scoring and setting up goals. I have to take care of that first.”