Costas Kaiafas

Raised in Cyprus, Costas Kaiafas has been immersed in the world of soccer since birth. He comes from a proud soccer pedigree—his uncle, Sotiris Kaiafas, won the Golden Boot in the 1970s, and several cousins, including Costas Kaiafas and Andreas Yiatrou, played professionally for the family’s lifelong club, Omonia. In his prime, Costas was widely regarded as one of the top players in Cyprus.

In 1974, following the Turkish invasion and forced displacement of his family, Costas arrived in the United States as a refugee. He continued to play and promote the sport passionately, despite its relatively low profile in the U.S. at the time. After playing high school soccer, he attended Drew University, where he continued his playing career. Following graduation, he founded both open and over-30 men’s teams under the Omonia name at GoodSports, winning numerous trophies and remaining committed to teaching and spreading the game.

In the mid-2010s, Costas was invited to help lead the Lions Open team based in Berkeley. The team was soon moved to Brick, where it saw continued success. As the club expanded, field space in Brick became limited, and the team eventually relocated to Jackson, where it continues to grow.

Costas also coached the Wall Tsunamis from U8 through their college years, turning the squad from the “laughing stock” of MOSA 8 into three-time defending EDP Premier champions. After that incredible run, he considered retirement—but instead, he took over the Brick Cyclones rec team. Within three years, they won the MOSA 2 championship. That team disbanded when four players moved on to higher levels just as they were transitioning to 11v11. Throughout this time, Costas continued to manage several indoor teams, expanding his leadership to include over-40 and over-50 squads.

When he was invited to join the leadership of Jackson Lions FC, Costas saw it as both an honor and a natural next step. To him, it’s about giving back to the sport that shaped his life—sharing the experiences, memories, and lessons of a lifetime to help develop future players and grow the game he loves.