South Sudan national football team facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the men's team. For the women's team, see South Sudan women's national football team.

Quick facts for kids
South Sudan

Nickname(s)

Bright Stars

Association

South Sudan Football Association (SSFA)

Confederation

CAF (Africa)

Sub-confederation

CECAFA (East & Central Africa)

Head coach

Nicolas Dupuis

Captain

Juma Genaro

Most caps

Peter Chol (39)

Top scorer

James Moga
Tito Okello (6)

Home stadium

Juba National Stadium

FIFA code

SSD

First colours

Second colours

FIFA ranking

Current

164

(7 February 2019)

Highest

134 (November 2015)

Lowest

205 (September 2013)

Elo ranking

Current

188

4 (3 March 2019)

Highest

171 (2016)

Lowest

188 (November 2018)

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)

CECAFA Cup

Appearances

4 (first in 2012)

Best result

Quarter-finals (2015)

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.

History

Zoran Đorđević was appointed on 25 May 2011 to oversee the national team. For their inaugural year the team was featured in a 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. However, in the event the opposition was provided by Tusker of the Kenyan Premier League, 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. South Sudan was officially admitted as a CAF member on 10 February 2012, at the 34th CAF Ordinary General Assembly hosted in Libreville, Gabon. 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.

On 10 July 2012, South Sudan competed in its first full international match, a friendly against Uganda in Juba. 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.

The South Sudanese took part in their first ever international football tournament when they took part in the 2012 CECAFA Cup in Uganda. They were drawn in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Kenya, and hosts Uganda. 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. 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 were invited by FIFA to take part in 2021 FIFA Arab Cup as the only non-Arab League nation. However, they forfeited the qualifiers after several players tested positive on COVID-19.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win Draw Loss Fixture

2023

2026 World Cup qualification 18 November	Senegal	4–0	South Sudan	Diamniadio, Senegal
19:00 UTC±0	P. Sarr 1' Mané 5', 56' (pen.) L. Camara 45'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017585		Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium Referee: Retselisitsoe David Molise (Lesotho)

2026 World Cup qualification 21 November	South Sudan	0–0	Mauritania	Diamniadio, Senegal
16:00 UTC±0		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017586		Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium Referee: Patrice Milazare (Mauritius)

2024

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 22 March	São Tomé and Príncipe	1–1	South Sudan	Berkane, Morocco
19:00 UTC±0	Leal 50'	https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2024-03-22/sao-tome-e-principe-vs-south-sudan/3283345/	Elly 78'	Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium Referee: Alhasan Bass (Gambia)

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 26 March	South Sudan	0–0 (1–1 agg.)	São Tomé and Príncipe	Berkane, Morocco
17:00 UTC±0		https://globalsportsarchive.com/match/soccer/2024-03-26/south-sudan-vs-sao-tome-e-principe/3283346/		Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium Referee: Keren Yocette (Seychelles)
Note: 1–1 on aggregate; South Sudan won on away goals.

2026 World Cup qualification 5 June	Togo	1–1	South Sudan	Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0	Narey 61'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018170	Aholou 68' (o.g.)	Stadium: Stade de Kégué Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)

2026 World Cup qualification 11 June	South Sudan	0–3	Sudan	Juba, South Sudan
14:00 UTC+2		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018173	Khedr 45+3' Muzmel 51' Al Gharbal 78'	Stadium: Juba Stadium Referee: Ahmad Heeralall (Mauritius)

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 5 September	Congo	v	South Sudan	Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1				Attendance: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 10 September	South Sudan	v	South Africa	Juba, South Sudan
15:00 UTC+2				Attendance: Juba Stadium

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 6 October	Uganda	v	South Sudan	Kampala, Uganda
				Attendance: Mandela National Stadium

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 14 October	South Sudan	v	Uganda	Juba, South Sudan
				Attendance: Juba Stadium

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 10 November	South Sudan	v	Congo	Juba, South Sudan
				Attendance: Juba Stadium

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 18 November	South Africa	v	South Sudan	South Africa

Coaches

Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Stephen Constantine (2009–2011)
Malesh Soro (2011–2012)
Ismail Balanga (2012)
Zoran Đorđević (2012–2013)
Ismail Balanga (2013–2014)
Salyi Lolaku Samuel (2014)
Lee Sung-jea (2014–2015)
Leo Adraa (2015–2016)
Joseph Malesh (2016)
Elya Wako (2017)
Bilal Felix Komoyangi (2017–2018)
Ahcene Aït-Abdelmalek (2018)
Ramsey Sebit (2018)
Cyprian Besong Ashu (2019–2021)
Stefano Cusin (2021–2023)
Deng Aleer (2023)
Nicolas Dupuis (2023–present)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 AFCON qualification matches against Uganda on 11 and 14 October 2024.

Caps and goals correct as of 11 October 2024, after the match against Uganda.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Juma Genaro	(1986-02-28) 28 February 1986 (age 38)	32	0	Al-Merrikh
1GK	Majak Mawith	(1999-09-18) 18 September 1999 (age 25)	20	0	Port Melbourne
1GK	Nicolas Madeng	(1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 (age 26)	0	0

2DF	Athir Thomas	(1987-02-14) 14 February 1987 (age 37)	23	1	Al Merreikh
2DF	Rashid Toha	(1997-10-09) 9 October 1997 (age 27)	21	1	Arua Hill
2DF	Wani Ivan Adebo	(1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 (age 26)	20	0	Bul
2DF	Loki Emmanuel	(2001-11-14) 14 November 2001 (age 23)	19	1	Bright Stars
2DF	Atendele Geriga	(1995-05-05) 5 May 1995 (age 29)	16	0	Arua Hill
2DF	Samuel Taban	(2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 22)	13	0	Kator
2DF	Paul Puk Kun Pal	(2000-02-12) 12 February 2000 (age 24)	3	0	Al Merreikh
2DF	Rashid Okocha	(1993-12-10) 10 December 1993 (age 31)	2	0	NEC
2DF	Benjamin Laku	(2006-06-27) 27 June 2006 (age 18)	1	0	Jamus

3MF	Peter Chol	(1994-10-23) 23 October 1994 (age 30)	38	4	Kator
3MF	Joseph Malish	(2002-07-27) 27 July 2002 (age 22)	16	0	Kator
3MF	William Gama	(2002-12-14) 14 December 2002 (age 22)	12	1	Onduparaka
3MF	Gaddafi Wahab	(1995-12-11) 11 December 1995 (age 29)	6	0	NEC
3MF	Charles Ouma	(1999-06-02) 2 June 1999 (age 25)	3	0	Kenya Police
3MF	Malish Mandela	(1999-10-10) 10 October 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Atlabara
3MF	Nelson Victor		0	0

4FW	Tito Okello	(1996-01-07) 7 January 1996 (age 28)	25	6	PSM Makassar
4FW	Valentino Yuel	(1994-10-12) 12 October 1994 (age 30)	20	3	Nasaf
4FW	David Majak	(2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 (age 24)	10	0	Tusker
4FW	Paul Jawa	(2004-07-15) 15 July 2004 (age 20)	7	0	Rainbow
4FW	Alfred Leku	(1997-09-16) 16 September 1997 (age 27)	2	0	Kenya Police
4FW	Madit Mayor		1	0	Atlabara
4FW	Francis Onekalit	(1996-08-18) 18 August 1996 (age 28)	0	0	Villa

Recent call ups

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Godwill Yugusuk	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Kator	v. Sudan; 11 June 2024
GK	Ramadan John	(2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 (age 24)	14	0	Al-Malakia	v. São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024

DF	Peter Maker	(1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 30)	33	0	Radnički S. Mitrovica	v. South Africa; 10 September 2024
DF	Omot Sebit	(1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 26)	12	0	Alamal Atbara	v. São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024
DF	Rehan Angier	(2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 22)	8	0	Munuki	v. Mauritania; 21 November 2023

MF	Joseph Dhata	(2002-09-05) 5 September 2002 (age 22)	12	1	Express	v. South Africa; 10 September 2024
MF	Nevello Yoseke	(1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 28)	5	0	Monterey Bay	v. South Africa; 10 September 2024
MF	Jackson Morgan	(1998-08-18) 18 August 1998 (age 26)	18	0	Bentleigh Greens	v. Sudan; 11 June 2024
MF	Manyumow Achol	(2000-12-10) 10 December 2000 (age 24)	12	0	Auda	v. Togo; 5 June 2024^PRE
MF	Asad Musa	(1995-08-06) 6 August 1995 (age 29)	11	0	Leopards	v. São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024
MF	Kenyi Wani	(2004-03-26) 26 March 2004 (age 20)	6	0	Al-Malakia	v. São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024

FW	Machop Chol	(1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 26)	6	0	San Antonio FC	v. Sudan; 11 June 2024
FW	Lazarus Peter Laku	(2008-05-29) 29 May 2008 (age 16)	0	0	Future Stars	v. Sudan; 11 June 2024
FW	Ajak Riak	(2000-12-12) 12 December 2000 (age 24)	10	0	Sheriff Tiraspol	v. São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024
FW	Martin Sawi	(1999-09-16) 16 September 1999 (age 25)	3	0	Pyeongchang United	v. São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024

Player records

Players in bold are still active with South Sudan.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Peter Chol	39	4	2015–present
2	Juma Genaro	33	0	2012–present
2	Peter Maker	33	0	2018–present
4	Dominic Abui Pretino	30	4	2013–2021
5	Leon Uso Khamis	29	3	2012–2022
6	Tito Okello	25	6	2020–present
7	Athir Thomas	24	1	2012–present
8	Rashid Toha	21	1	2021–present
9	Zachariah Adwin	20	0	2012–2017
	David Dada	20	0	2014–2018
	Majak Mawith	20	0	2019–present

Top goalscorers

James Moga is South Sudan's joint top scorer with 6 goals.

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	James Moga	6	18	0.33	2012–2017
1	Tito Okello	6	25	0.22	2020–present
3	Joseph Kuch Nyuar	4	8	0.5	2017–2019
	Dominic Abui Pretino	4	30	0.13	2013–2021
	Peter Chol	4	39	0.1	2015–present
6	Sebit Bruno	3	10	0.3	2015–2016
	Atak Lual	3	13	0.23	2014–2018
	Valentino Yuel	3	20	0.15	2022–present
	Leon Uso Khamis	3	29	0.1	2012–2022
10	Richard Justin Lado	2	8	0.25	2012–2017
10	Wurube Robert Lopidia	2	10	0.2	2016–2018

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1938	Part of United Kingdom								Part of United Kingdom
1950 to 2010	Part of Sudan								Part of Sudan
2014	Not a FIFA member								Not a FIFA member
2018	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	1	5
2022	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	1	2
2026	To be determined								4	0	2	2	1	8
2030									To be determined
2034									To be determined
Total		0/2							8	0	4	4	3	15

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Part of Sudan								Part of Sudan
1959
1962
1963
1965
1968
1970
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012	Did not enter								Did not enter
2013	Did not enter								Did not enter
2015	Did not qualify								2	0	1	1	0	5
2017									6	1	0	5	3	15
2019									8	1	0	7	8	20
2021									8	3	0	5	5	7
2023									8	3	0	5	10	15
2025
2027	To be determined								To be determined
2029	To be determined								To be determined
Total		0/34	0	0	0	0	0	0	32	8	1	23	26	62

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 0
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2009	Part of Sudan
2011	Part of Sudan
2014	Did not qualify
2016
2018
2020
2022
Total	–	0/7	–	–	–	–	–	–

CECAFA Cup

CECAFA Cup record
Appearances: 4
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973 to 2010	Part of Sudan
2011	Did not enter
2012	Group stage	11th	3	0	0	3	0	7
2013	Group stage	10th	3	0	0	3	2	7
2015	Quarter-finals	6th	4	2	2	0	4	0
2017	Group stage	9th	3	0	1	2	1	8
2019	Did not enter
Total	Quarter-finals	4/40	13	2	3	8	7	22

FIFA Arab Cup

FIFA Arab Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1963 to 2009	Part of Sudan								Part of Sudan
2012	Not invited								Not invited
2021	Did not qualify								0	0	0	1	0	3
Total		0/9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3

The 2009 edition was cancelled during qualification.

Head-to-head record

South Sudan national football team results

Dual-internationals

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

James Moga – forward for Sudan. Played for them in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification and 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification. Played 14 matches and scored six goals.
Richard Justin Lado – Experienced defender in club football for Khartoum 3 and played for Sudan between 2008 and 2012.
Athir Thomas – defender in Sudan before the country's partition.
Roy Gulwak – Goalkeeper who represented Sudan in two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in 2009, conceding two goals.
Khamis Martin – Played one international game for Sudan in 2010.