South Sudan national football team

South Sudan
Nickname(s)Bright Stars[1]
AssociationSouth Sudan Football Association
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachStefano Cusin
CaptainPeter Maker
Most capsLeon Uso Khamis (29)
Top scorerJames Moga (6)
Home stadiumJuba National Stadium
FIFA codeSSD
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 161 7 (31 March 2022)[2]
Highest134 (November 2015)
Lowest205 (September 2013)
First international
 South Sudan 2–2 Uganda 
(Juba, South Sudan; 10 July 2012)
Biggest win
 South Sudan 6–0 Djibouti 
(Juba, South Sudan; 28 March 2017)
Biggest defeat
 Mozambique 5–0 South Sudan 
(Maputo, Mozambique; 18 May 2014)
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see South Sudan women's national football team.

The South Sudan national football team represents South Sudan in international football and is controlled by the South Sudan Football Association, the governing body for football in South Sudan.

The majority of the squad is usually derived from either the domestics South Sudan Football Championship and South Sudan Premier League, or various clubs in the Australian football league system, from among the South Sudanese-Australian diaspora.

History

Zoran Đorđević was appointed on 25 May 2011 to oversee the national team.[3] For their inaugural year the team was featured in Storyville episode called Soccer Coach Zoran and his African Tigers. The national team's first international fixture was due to be against the Kenya national team on 10 July 2011 as part of the country's independence celebrations.[4][5] However, in the event the opposition was provided by Tusker of the Kenyan Premier League,[6] alongside the first international fixture of the national basketball team. The match was played at the Juba Stadium. South Sudan scored within ten minutes, but they later conceded three goals in a 3–1 defeat.[7] South Sudan was officially admitted as a CAF member on 10 February 2012, at the 34th CAF Ordinary General Assembly hosted in Libreville, Gabon.[8] South Sudan was admitted as a FIFA member on 25 May 2012 at the second session of the 62nd FIFA Congress hosted in Budapest, Hungary.[9][10]

On 10 July 2012, South Sudan competed in its first full international match, a friendly against Uganda in Juba.[11] The match ended in a 2–2 draw, with James Moga and Richard Justin Lado scoring for South Sudan. This match resulted in South Sudan entering the FIFA rankings at the start of August in 199th place.[11]

The South Sudanese took part in their first ever international football tournament when they took part in the 2012 CECAFA Cup in Uganda.[12][13] They were drawn in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Kenya, and hosts Uganda.[14] The national team played their first match against Ethiopia, losing 1–0 through a Yonathan Kebede goal. In their next match, they lost 2–0 against Kenya. Their final match saw them suffer a 4–0 loss to Uganda.

South Sudan entered its first major international tournament in 2014, taking part in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. As one of the four lowest ranked national teams in Africa, it entered in the preliminary stage and was scheduled to play against Eritrea, who withdrew, thus qualifying South Sudan for the first qualifying round.[15][16] There, they played Mozambique over two legs, losing 5–0 at the Estádio do Zimpeto in Maputo, but hosting a goalless draw in the second leg which was held at the Khartoum Stadium in Sudan due to the South Sudanese Civil War.

On 5 September 2015, South Sudan achieved their first official victory, a 1–0 home win against Equatorial Guinea in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. One month later South Sudan played their first ever match in FIFA World Cup Qualification, a 1–1 draw at home to Mauritania. South Sudan would lose both return matches 4–0.

During 2019 AFCON qualifying the Bright Stars achieved their record win, defeating Djibouti 6–0 in Juba, however they lost all seven of their other matches meaning they remained among the lowest ranked teams in Africa.

In October 2019, in the 2021 AFCON preliminary round, South Sudan won an away game for the first time, beating Seychelles 1–0 in Victoria to secure a 3–1 aggregate victory. This sees the Bright Stars advance to the qualifying group stage for the third consecutive edition.

South Sudan have been invited by FIFA to taking part in 2021 FIFA Arab Cup as the only non-Arab League nation . The team eventually forfeited the qualifiers after several players tested positive on COVID -19.

Results and fixtures
Main article: South Sudan national football team results

  Win   Draw   Loss

2021
13 March Friendly Kenya  1–0  South Sudan Nairobi, Kenya
12:00 UTC+2
  • Rupia 77'
 Report Stadium: Nyayo National Stadium
Referee: Dickens Mimisa (Kenya)
24 March 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Sudan  0–1  Malawi Omdurman, Sudan
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Al-Hilal Stadium
Referee: Anthony Ogwayo (Kenya)
29 March 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Burkina Faso  1–0  South Sudan Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
16:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Stade du 4 Août
Referee: George Rogers (Liberia)
21 June 2021 FIFA Arab Cup qualification Jordan  3–0
(forfeited)		  South Sudan Doha, Qatar
19:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium
6 October Friendly Sierra Leone  1–1  South Sudan El Jadida, Morocco
 Report
Stadium: Stade El Abdi
12 October Friendly Gambia  2–1  South Sudan El Jadida, Morocco
 Report
  • Lual 87'
 Stadium: Stade El Abdi

2022
27 January Friendly Uzbekistan  3–0  South Sudan Dubai, United Arab Emirates
18:00 UTC+4
Report Stadium: The Sevens Stadium
31 January Training match Jordan  2–1  South Sudan Dubai, United Arab Emirates
 Report
Stadium: The Sevens Stadium
23 March 2023 AFCON Q preliminary round Djibouti  2–4  South Sudan Borg El Arab, Egypt
Akinbinu 63'
Warsama 90+3'		 Okello 54' (pen.), 75'
Toha 68'
Gama 89'		 Stadium: Borg El Arab Stadium
27 March 2023 AFCON Q preliminary round South Sudan  1–0
(5–2 agg.)		  Djibouti Entebbe, Uganda
Chol 55' Stadium: St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende
Note: South Sudan won 5–1 on aggregate.

Coaches
Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Djibouti on 23 and 27 March 2022 respectively.[17]

Caps and goals as of 27 March 2022, after the match against Djibouti.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Juma Genaro (1988-02-28) 28 February 1988 30 0 Hay Al-Arab
1GK Ramadan Diing (2000-03-13) 13 March 2000 8 0 Malakia
1GK Michael Marco 0 0 Amarat FC
2DF Peter Maker (captain) (1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 19 0 ZESCO United
2DF Mutwakil Abdelkarim (1992-08-04) 4 August 1992 11 0 Atlabara
2DF Omot Sebit (1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 9 0 Alamal Atbara
2DF Rashid Toha (1997-10-09) 9 October 1997 6 1 Vipers
2DF Bernard Agele (1992-12-04) 4 December 1992 5 0 Kota Ranger
2DF John Kuol Chol (1999-11-09) 9 November 1999 4 0 Dandenong City
2DF Akol Geofrey (2000-08-09) 9 August 2000 2 0 Atlabara FC
2DF Atendele Geriga (1995-05-05) 5 May 1995 2 0 Arua Hills FC
2DF Samuel Taban (2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 2 0 Kator
2DF Vitali Paulina (2002-05-11) 11 May 2002 1 0 Rainbow SC
3MF Peter Chol (1994-10-23) 23 October 1994 20 2 Kator
3MF Jackson Morgan (1998-08-18) 18 August 1998 12 0
3MF Saad Musa (1995-08-06) 6 August 1995 9 0 Dila Gori
3MF Ivan Wani (1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 7 0 Alamal Atbara
3MF William Gama Emmanuel (2002-12-14) 14 December 2002 6 1 Malakia FC
3MF Data Elly (2002-02-05) 5 February 2002 5 0 Kyetume
3MF Abraham Majok (1998-10-13) 13 October 1998 1 0 AmaZulu
4FW Tito Okello (1996-01-07) 7 January 1996 11 3 Paykan
4FW Loki Emmanuel (2001-11-14) 14 November 2001 6 1 Bright Stars
4FW David Majak (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 6 0 Luleå
4FW William Akio (1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 4 0 Valour FC
4FW Valentino Yuel (1994-10-12) 12 October 1994 4 1 Newcastle Jets
4FW Manyumow Achol (1999-12-10) 10 December 1999 4 0 Auda
4FW Machop Chol (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 2 0 Atlanta United

Recent call ups
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Khamis Daniel (1986-01-08) 8 January 1986 8 0 Gudele v.  Jordan, 21 June 2021
GK Majak Mawith (1999-09-18) 18 September 1999 9 0 Port Melbourne v.  Gambia, October 12 2021
DF Dominic Angelo Kornelio (2000-04-14) 14 April 2000 13 0 Munuki v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
DF Rehan Angier (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 7 0 Munuki v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
DF Joseph Dhata (2002-09-05) 5 September 2002 1 0 Vipers v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
DF Geofrey Akol 1 0 Munuki v.  Gambia, October 12 2021
DF Abane Along 1 0 Unknown v.  Gambia, October 12 2021
MF Dominic Abui Pretino (1991-01-01) 1 January 1991 30 4 Khartoum v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
MF Stephen Pawaar (1993-01-07) 7 January 1993 8 0 Munuki v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
MF Mandela Malish (1998-10-28) 28 October 1998 8 0 Atlabara v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
MF Abraham Sudier 2 0 Kator v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
MF Chok Dau (1998-12-31) 31 December 1998 3 0 Vysočina Jihlava v.  Jordan, 21 June 2021
MF Gibson Adinho (1994-07-04) 4 July 1994 2 0 Onduparaka v.  Jordan, 21 June 2021
MF Emmanuel Thomas Lumeri (1993-05-16) 16 May 1993 1 0 Amarat United v.  Jordan, 21 June 2021
MF Peter Oyik 0 0 Unknown v.  Jordan, 21 June 2021
MF William Gama 3 0 Malakia v.  Gambia, October 12 2021
MF Maker Maker (1999-07-01) 1 July 1999 3 0 Atmosfera v.  Gambia, October 12 2021
FW Aluck Akech (1994-02-08) 8 February 1994 17 0 Alamal Atbara v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
FW Makueth Wol (2000-02-10) 10 February 2000 6 0 Mbarara City v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
FW Dani Lual (2002-11-29) 29 November 2002 2 1 Vyškov v.  Gambia, 12 October 2021
FW John Albino Ajak 1 0 Atlabara v.  Jordan, 21 June 2021
FW Khamis Atari 1 0 Unknown v.  Gambia, October 12 2021
FW Kur Gai 1 0 Adelaide City v.  Gambia, October 12 2021
Tehtloach Thor Monyang Jebel Koteen
Moses Ekoa Pau Jebel Koteen
Wani Isaac Super Star FC
Ngong Achiek Super Star FC
Maroune Anour Hilal FC
Zubier Mohamed Abaker Hilal FC
Mostapha Mohamed Hilal FC
Tong Maduoa Zalan FC
Adut Makoi Zalan FC
David Alfred Kator FC
Dominic James Kator FC

Player records
As of 27 March 2022
Players in bold are still active with South Sudan.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1954 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
1958 to 2010 Part of  Sudan Part of  Sudan
2014 Did not enter Did not enter
2018 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 5
2022 2 0 1 1 1 2
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/22 4 0 2 2 2 7

Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 0
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1957 to 2010Part of  Sudan
2012 to 2013Did not enter
2015 to 2021Did not qualify
2023To be determined
2025
Total–0/33––––––

African Nations Championship
African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 0
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
2009 Part of  Sudan
2011
2014Did not qualify
2016
2018
2020
2022To be determined
Total–0/6––––––

CECAFA Cup
CECAFA Cup record
Appearances: 4
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1973 to 2010Part of  Sudan
2011Did not enter
2012Group stage11th300307
2013Group stage10th300327
2015Quarter-finals6th422040
2017Group stage9th301218
2019Did not enter
TotalQuarter-finals4/4013238722

Arab Cup record
Arab Cup Arab Nations Cup Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1963 to 20091Part of  SudanPart of  Sudan
2012Not inviteNot invite
2021Did not qualified Withdrew
Total0/9 0 0 0 0 0 0

^1 The 2009 edition was cancelled during qualification.

Head-to-head record
Team Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
 Benin 2 0 0 2 2 6 −4 0.00
 Botswana 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0.00
 Burkina Faso 2 0 0 2 1 3 −2 0.00
 Burundi 3 0 1 2 2 8 −6 0.00
 Djibouti 4 3 0 1 12 4 +8 75.00
 Equatorial Guinea 4 1 1 2 2 6 −4 25.00
 Ethiopia 3 0 0 3 0 6 −6 0.00
 Gabon 2 0 0 2 0 4 −4 0.00
 Gambia 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0.00
 Jordan 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4 0.00
 Kenya 4 0 0 4 1 8 −7 0.00
 Mali 4 0 0 4 0 11 −11 0.00
 Malawi 3 1 0 2 2 2 0 33.33
 Mauritania 2 0 1 1 1 5 −4 0.00
 Mozambique 2 0 1 1 0 5 −5 0.00
 Seychelles 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 100.00
 Sierra Leone 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0.00
 Sudan 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0.00
 Uganda 5 1 1 3 4 12 −8 20.00
 Uzbekistan 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0.00
 Zanzibar 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0.00
Total 51 8 8 35 34 97 −63 15.69
Source: Results

Dual-internationals

The following South Sudanese international footballers have also played for Sudan national football team before the country's independence:

Notes
      1. Athir Thomas also appeared in two games for Sudan
      2. James Moga also won 18 caps and scored 5 goals for Sudan
      3. Richard Lado also appeared in 39 matches for Sudan, scoring 5 goals

      References
      1. "BBC Storyville 2014 Soccer Coach Zoran and his African Tigers". YouTube. 18 December 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
      2. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
      3. Jacobs, Sean (25 May 2011). "Zoran and his African Tigers". Africas Country. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
      4. https://swap.stanford.edu/20110707121643/http://www.goss-online.org/magnoliaPublic/en/home/mainColumnParagraphs/00/content_files/file7/AgendaWord.doc
      5. Martell, Peter (6 July 2011). "World's Newest Nation Set to Step Into Sporting Arena". Jakarta Globe. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
      6. Rice, Xan (10 July 2011). "South Sudan marks statehood with football match". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
      7. "Independent South Sudan play first football match". Kickoff.com. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
      8. South Sudan admitted as a member of CAF, SuperSport.com, Retrieved 10 February 2012.
      9. "FIFA Congress fully backs reform process, appoints first woman to Executive; welcomes South Sudan as 209th FIFA member". FIFA Congress. 25 May 2012. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
      10. Mensah, Kent (27 May 2012). "South Sudan become Fifa's 209th member". Goal.com. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
      11. "South Sudan enter FIFA rankings". Reuters. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
      12. South Sudan set for international debuts at Cecafa cups BBC. Retrieved 12 November 2012
      13. World newest state set for CECAFA début Futaa.com. Retrieved 12 November 2012
      14. Ethiopia get tough draw for 2012 Cecafa Challenge Cup BBC. Retrieved 12 November 2012
      15. "Eritrea withdraws from Nations Cup Qualification". Reuters.com. 30 March 2014.
      16. "Eritrea withdraws from Can 2015". Cafonline.com. 30 March 2014.
      17. squad for AFCON 2023 qualification
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