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

Peter Maker

Most caps

Peter Chol (34)

Top scorer

James Moga (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)

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

Main page: South Sudan national football team results

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

2023 AFCON qualification 27 March	South Sudan	0–1	Congo	Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
16:00 UTC+3		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/south-sudan/congo/3783039/	Charpentier 90'	Stadium: National Stadium Referee: Joseph Odey Ogabor (Nigeria)

2023 AFCON qualification 14 June	South Sudan	2–3	Gambia	Ismailia, Egypt
--:-- UTC+2	Yuel 21' Chol 90+1'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/06/00/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/south-sudan/gambia/3783041/	Angier 4' (og) Jallow 62' Hamza 90+6'	Stadium: Suez Canal Stadium

Friendly 18 June	Egypt	3–0	South Sudan	Cairo, Egypt
20:00 UTC+2	M.Fathi 19' Kahraba 45' Trézéguet 72'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/06/18/world/friendlies/egypt/south-sudan/4078627/		Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Referee: Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait)

2023 AFCON qualification 8 September	Mali	4–0	South Sudan	Bamako, Mali
19:00 UTC±0	Koné 10' K. Doumbia 29', 57' Dorgeles 82'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/08/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/mali/south-sudan/3783043/		Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars Referee: Mehrez Melki (Tunisia)

Friendly 12 September	Kenya	0–1	South Sudan	Nairobi, Kenya
		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/12/world/friendlies/kenya/south-sudan/4233619/	Okello 2'	Stadium: Moi International Sports Centre Referee: Abdoul Karim Twagirumukiza (Rwanda)

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

2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 26 March	South Sudan	0–0	São Tomé and Príncipe

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 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Gambia on 14 June and the friendly against Egypt on 18 June 2023.

Caps and goals correct as of 18 June 2023, after the match against Egypt.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1GK	Ramadan John	(2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 (age 24)	14	0	Al-Malakia
1GK	Khamis Daniel	(1986-01-08) 8 January 1986 (age 38)	9	0	Free agent

2DF	Peter Maker	(1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 30)	25	0	Radnički S. Mitrovica
2DF	Rashid Toha	(1997-10-09) 9 October 1997 (age 26)	13	1	Arua Hill
2DF	David Omot Sebit	(1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 25)	10	0	Alamal Atbara
2DF	Rehan Angier	(2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 22)	8	0	Munuki
2DF	Geriga Atendele	(1995-05-05) 5 May 1995 (age 28)	8	0	Arua Hill
2DF	Samuel Taban	(2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 21)	6	0	Kator
2DF	Joseph Dhata	(2002-09-05) 5 September 2002 (age 21)	4	0	Express
2DF	John Joh	(1999-11-09) 9 November 1999 (age 24)	4	0	Wazito

3MF	Peter Chol	(1994-10-23) 23 October 1994 (age 29)	29	4	Kator
3MF	Ivan Wani	(1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 (age 25)	14	0	Bul
3MF	Loki Emmanuel	(2001-11-14) 14 November 2001 (age 22)	11	1	Bright Stars
3MF	Manyumow Achol	(2000-12-10) 10 December 2000 (age 23)	10	0	Auda
3MF	Joseph Malish Manase	(2002-07-27) 27 July 2002 (age 21)	10	0	Al-Merreikh Juba
3MF	Kenyi Wani	(2004-03-26) 26 March 2004 (age 20)	4	0	Al-Malakia
3MF	Francis Onekalit Odong	(1996-08-18) 18 August 1996 (age 27)	2	0	Blacks Power
3MF	Mario Taban Cherlino Albano	(2006-04-23) 23 April 2006 (age 17)	0	0	Future Stars
3MF	Mandela Malish	(1999-10-10) 10 October 1999 (age 24)	0	0	Onduparaka

4FW	Tito Okello	(1996-01-07) 7 January 1996 (age 28)	16	4	Paykan
4FW	Valentino Yuel	(1994-10-12) 12 October 1994 (age 29)	11	2	Western Sydney Wanderers
4FW	Ajak Riak	(2000-12-12) 12 December 2000 (age 23)	4	0	PSS Sleman
4FW	Machop Chol	(1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 25)	3	0	San Antonio FC
4FW	Paul Jawa	(2004-07-15) 15 July 2004 (age 19)	2	0	Rainbow
4FW	Lazarus Peter George Laku	(2008-05-29) 29 May 2008 (age 15)	0	0	Future Stars

Recent call ups

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Majak Mawith	(1999-09-18) 18 September 1999 (age 24)	11	0	Port Melbourne	v. Congo, 27 March 2023
GK	Godwill Yugusuk	(1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 24)	0	0	Kator	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE

DF	Majak Mayor	(2001-12-24) 24 December 2001 (age 22)	2	0	El Nasir	v. Congo, 27 March 2023
DF	Bangasi Bakosoro	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 28)	0	0	Kator	v. Congo, 27 March 2023
DF	James Bul	(2004-02-11) 11 February 2004 (age 20)	0	0	Al-Malakia	v. Congo, 27 March 2023
DF	Ryen Jiba	(2001-04-29) 29 April 2001 (age 22)	0	0	Minnesota United	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE
DF	Mabior Mabior	(2003-12-29) 29 December 2003 (age 20)	0	0	Super Star	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE
DF	Ryan Mahuta	(2002-07-07) 7 July 2002 (age 21)	0	0	Haka	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE
DF	Nikson Sarfino	(2003-03-04) 4 March 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Al-Merreikh Juba	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE

MF	Jackson Morgan	(1998-08-18) 18 August 1998 (age 25)	14	0	Bentleigh Greens	v. Congo, 27 March 2023
MF	Shadrack Wani	(2004-03-26) 26 March 2004 (age 20)	2	0	Al-Malakia	v. Congo, 27 March 2023
MF	Kennedy Juma	(2004-07-03) 3 July 2004 (age 19)	0	0	Mission	v. Congo, 27 March 2023
MF	Joseph Loro	(2004-07-07) 7 July 2004 (age 19)	0	0	Munuki	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE
MF	Norman Lumumba	(2005-11-15) 15 November 2005 (age 18)	0	0	Calvary	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE

FW	William Akio	(1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 (age 25)	6	0	Cavalry FC	v. Congo, 27 March 2023
FW	Dani Thon	(2002-11-29) 29 November 2002 (age 21)	2	1	Blansko	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE
FW	Agwa Okuot Obiech	(1996-03-01) 1 March 1996 (age 28)	1	0	Brattvåg	v. Congo, 27 March 2023
FW	Felix Abishai	(2004-06-06) 6 June 2004 (age 19)	0	0	Amarat United	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE
FW	Manyluak Aguek	(2000-02-08) 8 February 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Avondale	v. Congo, 23 March 2023 ^PRE

Player records

Players in bold are still active with South Sudan.

Most appearances

Rank	Player	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Peter Chol	34	4	2015–present
2	Juma Genaro	30	0	2012–2022
2	Dominic Abui Pretino	30	4	2013–2021
4	Leon Uso Khamis	29	3	2012–2022
4	Peter Maker	29	0	2018–present
6	Athir Thomas	21	1	2012–2019
7	Zachariah Adwin	20	0	2012–2017
	David Dada	20	0	2014–2018
	Tito Okello	20	5	2020–present
10	Aluck Akech	18	0	2014–2021
10	James Moga	18	6	2012–2017

Top goalscorers

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

Rank	Player	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	James Moga	6	18	0.33	2012–2017
2	Tito Okello	5	20	0.25	2020–present
3	Joseph Kuch Nyuar	4	8	0.5	2017–2019
	Dominic Abui Pretino	4	30	0.13	2013–2021
	Peter Chol	4	34	0.12	2015–present
6	Sebit Bruno	3	10	0.3	2015–2016
	Atak Lual	3	13	0.23	2014–2018
	Leon Uso Khamis	3	29	0.1	2012–2022
9	Richard Justin Lado	2	8	0.25	2012–2017
	Wurube Robert Lopidia	2	10	0.2	2016–2018
	Valentino Yuel	2	15	0.13	2022–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup									Qualification
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								2	0	1	1	0	4
2030									To be determined
2034									To be determined
Total		0/2							6	0	3	3	2	11

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	To be determined								To be determined
2027	To be determined								To be determined
Total	–	0/36	–	–	–	–	–	–	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.