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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.
Not to be confused with Sudan 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 (41)
Top scorer James Moga
Tito Okello (6)
Home stadium Juba National Stadium
FIFA code SSD
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 164 Steady (7 February 2019)
Highest 134 (November 2015)
Lowest 205 (September 2013)
Elo ranking
Current 188 Decrease 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, also known as the Bright Stars, plays football for South Sudan in international matches. The team is managed by the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA). The SSFA is the main group that organizes football in South Sudan.

History of the Bright Stars

Starting the Team

Zoran Đorđević became the first coach of the national team on May 25, 2011. A TV show called Soccer Coach Zoran and his African Tigers even featured the team. Their first unofficial game was on July 10, 2011. They played against Tusker, a club from Kenya, as part of South Sudan's independence celebrations. The match was held at Juba Stadium. South Sudan scored early but lost 3–1.

Joining Football Organizations

South Sudan officially joined the CAF on February 10, 2012. CAF is the main football group for Africa. Later, on May 25, 2012, South Sudan became a member of FIFA. FIFA is the global organization that runs international football.

First Official Matches

On July 10, 2012, South Sudan played its first official international match. It was a friendly game against Uganda in Juba. The game ended in a 2–2 draw. James Moga and Richard Justin Lado scored for South Sudan. This match helped South Sudan get ranked by FIFA for the first time.

First Tournaments and Wins

The Bright Stars played in their first international tournament, the 2012 CECAFA Cup, in Uganda. They played against Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. They lost all three matches.

In 2014, South Sudan entered its first major tournament, the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. They were supposed to play Eritrea, but Eritrea pulled out. This meant South Sudan moved to the next round. They played against Mozambique. They lost 5–0 in Mozambique but drew 0–0 at home. This home game was played in Sudan because of the South Sudanese Civil War.

On September 5, 2015, South Sudan won its first official game. They beat Equatorial Guinea 1–0 in a qualifying match for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. A month later, they played their first FIFA World Cup Qualification match. They drew 1–1 at home against Mauritania.

During the 2019 AFCON qualifying games, South Sudan had their biggest win ever. They defeated Djibouti 6–0 in Juba.

In October 2019, South Sudan won an away game for the first time. They beat Seychelles 1–0 in Victoria. This win helped them move forward in the 2021 AFCON preliminary round.

South Sudan was invited to play in the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup. However, they had to withdraw from the qualifiers. This was because several players tested positive for COVID-19.

Recent Matches and Future Games

Main article: South Sudan national football team results

Here are the results of the Bright Stars' matches from the past year, and some games planned for the future.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2024 Matches

22 March 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification São Tomé and Príncipe  1–1  South Sudan Berkane, Morocco
19:00 UTC±0
  • Leal Goal 50'
  • Elly Goal 78'
 Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium
Referee: Alhasan Bass (Gambia)
26 March 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Sudan  0–0
(1–1 agg.)		  São Tomé and Príncipe Berkane, Morocco
17:00 UTC±0 Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium
Referee: Keren Yocette (Seychelles)
Note: Draw 1–1 on aggregate; South Sudan won on away goals.
5 June 2026 World Cup qualification Togo  1–1  South Sudan Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0
  • Narey Goal 61'
  • Aholou Goal 68' (o.g.)
 Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
11 June 2026 World Cup qualification South Sudan  0–3  Sudan Juba, South Sudan
14:00 UTC+2
  • Khedr Goal 45+3'
  • Muzmel Goal 51'
  • Al Gharbal Goal 78'
 Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Ahmad Heeralall (Mauritius)
5 September 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Congo  1–0  South Sudan Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1
  • Massanga Goal 12'
 Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Celso Armindo Alvação (Mozambique)
10 September 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Sudan  2–3  South Africa Juba, South Sudan
15:00 UTC+2
  • Okello Goal 15' (pen.)
  • Yuel Goal 57'
  • Appollis Goal 17', 45+2'
  • Mbatha Goal 90+5'
 Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Joseph Ogabor (Nigeria)
11 October 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Uganda  1–0  South Sudan Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3
  • Mugabi Goal 47'
 Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Kalilou Ibrahim Traoré (Ivory Coast)
15 October 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Sudan  1–2  Uganda Juba, South Sudan
15:00 UTC+2
  • Juma Goal 21'
  • Omedi Goal 15'
  • Leku Goal 66' (o.g.)
 Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Ahmed Al Ghandour (Egypt)
27 October 2024 African Nations Championship qualification South Sudan  2–0  Kenya Juba, South Sudan
15:00 UTC+2
  • Ezibon Goal 50'
  • Juma Goal 68'
 Stadium: Juba Stadium
2 November 2024 African Nations Championship qualification Kenya  1–1
(1–3 agg.)		  South Sudan Kampala, Uganda
16:00 UTC+3
  • Odhiambo Goal 13'
  • Ezibon Goal 41'
 Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Note: South Sudan won 3–1 on aggregate.
14 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Sudan  3–2  Congo Juba, South Sudan
14:00 UTC+2
  • Ezibon Goal 31', 45+2'
  • Elly Goal 84'
  • Ibayi Goal 26', 35'
 Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)
19 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Africa  3–0  South Sudan Cape Town, South Africa
14:00 UTC+2
  • Rayners Goal 7'
  • Maswanganyi Goal 22'
  • Mokoena Goal 50' (pen.)
 Stadium: Cape Town Stadium
Referee: Adalbert Diouf (Senegal)

2025 Matches

21 March 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier DR Congo  1–0  South Sudan Kinshasa, DR Congo
17:00 UTC+1
  • Bongonda Goal 45+3'
 Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
25 March 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier Sudan  1–1  South Sudan Benghazi, Libya
21:00 UTC+2
  • Eisa Goal 76'
  • David Goal 90+8'
 Stadium: Benina Martyrs Stadium
28 May 2025 (2025-05-28) Friendly Eritrea  v  South Sudan Asmara, Eritrea
Stadium: Cicero Stadium
September 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier South Sudan  v  DR Congo
September 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier Mauritania  v  South Sudan
October 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier South Sudan  v  Senegal
October 2026 FIFA WC Qualifier South Sudan  v  Togo
December 2025 FIFA Arab Cup Syria  v  South Sudan Doha, Qatar
--:-- UTC+3 Stadium: TBD

Coaches of the Team

Stefano-wiki
Stefano Cusin was a manager for the South Sudan national football team.

Many coaches have led the South Sudan national football team. Some coaches were temporary, and they are shown in italics.

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

Meet the Players

Current Team Members

These players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group B matches in March 2025. The numbers for games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of March 25, 2025.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Majak Mawith (1999-09-18) 18 September 1999 (age 25) 23 0 South Sudan Jamus
1GK Godwill Yugusuk (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 25) 0 0 South Sudan Kator
2DF Rashid Toha (1997-10-09) 9 October 1997 (age 27) 22 1 Kenya Kenya Police
2DF Athir Thomas (1987-02-14) 14 February 1987 (age 38) 17 1 South Sudan Al Merreikh
2DF Samuel Taban (2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 22) 14 0 South Sudan Jamus
2DF David Omot Sebit (1998-10-28) 28 October 1998 (age 26) 12 1 South Sudan Kator
2DF Paul Puk Pal (2000-02-12) 12 February 2000 (age 25) 8 0 South Sudan Al Merreikh
2DF Rashid Okocha (1993-12-10) 10 December 1993 (age 31) 4 0 Uganda NEC
2DF Bichiok (2007-08-25) 25 August 2007 (age 17) 0 0 Kenya Nairobi United
3MF Ivan Wani (1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 (age 26) 24 0 South Sudan Jamus
3MF Joseph Malish Manase (2002-07-27) 27 July 2002 (age 23) 17 0 South Sudan Jamus
3MF William Gama (2002-12-14) 14 December 2002 (age 22) 15 1 South Sudan Al-Malakia
3MF Peter Chan 2 0 South Sudan Olympic
3MF Pap Chol 2 0 South Sudan Kator
3MF Mario Albano (2006-04-23) 23 April 2006 (age 19) 1 0 South Sudan Jamus
3MF Nelson Victor Elia (2002-09-30) 30 September 2002 (age 22) 1 0 South Sudan Al Merreikh
3MF Nhiak Agany 0 0 South Sudan Holy Family
3MF Simon Kuoto'o 0 0 South Sudan Jamus
4FW Tito Okello (1996-01-07) 7 January 1996 (age 29) 24 6 Libya Abi al Ashar
4FW Paul Jawa (2004-07-15) 15 July 2004 (age 21) 11 0 France Fleury 91
4FW Yohanna Paulino (1999-10-06) 6 October 1999 (age 25) 6 1 South Sudan Jamus
4FW Lazarus Laku (2008-05-29) 29 May 2008 (age 17) 1 0 Sweden IFK Göteborg
4FW Angufi Mudasiri 1 0 South Sudan Koryom

Other Players Called Up Recently

These players were also called up for the team in the past year.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Juma Genaro (1986-02-28) 28 February 1986 (age 39) 34 0 Sudan Al-Merrikh v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
GK Dario Konyang (2004-06-26) 26 June 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Unknown v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
GK Madut Nyuol Unknown 0 0 Unknown v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
GK Nicolas Madeng (1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 (age 27) 0 0 Unknown v.  Uganda; 15 October 2024
DF Atendele Geriga (1995-05-05) 5 May 1995 (age 30) 17 0 Uganda Arua Hill v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
DF Rehan Angier (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 23) 8 0 South Sudan Munuki v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
DF Benjamin Laku (2006-06-27) 27 June 2006 (age 19) 4 0 South Sudan Jamus v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
DF Emmanuel Maku (2006-10-20) 20 October 2006 (age 18) 1 0 South Sudan Jamus v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
DF David Djamas (2004-04-21) 21 April 2004 (age 21) 0 0 Cyprus Achyronas v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
DF Oman Mobil (2003-12-02) 2 December 2003 (age 21) 0 0 South Sudan Al-Malakia v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
DF Loki Emmanuel (2001-11-14) 14 November 2001 (age 23) 20 1 Uganda Bright Stars v.  Uganda; 15 October 2024
DF Peter Maker (1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 31) 33 0 Serbia Radnički S. Mitrovica v.  South Africa; 10 September 2024
MF Peter Chol (1994-10-23) 23 October 1994 (age 30) 41 4 South Sudan Kator v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
MF Gaddafi Wahab (1995-12-11) 11 December 1995 (age 29) 6 0 Uganda NEC v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
MF Mandela Malish (1999-10-10) 10 October 1999 (age 25) 4 0 South Sudan Atlabara v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
MF Omar Luate (2001-10-10) 10 October 2001 (age 23) 0 0 South Sudan Jamus v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
MF Charles Ouma (1999-06-02) 2 June 1999 (age 26) 3 0 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Uganda; 15 October 2024
MF Joseph Dhata (2002-09-05) 5 September 2002 (age 22) 12 1 Uganda Express v.  South Africa; 10 September 2024
MF Nevello Yoseke (1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 29) 5 0 United States Monterey Bay v.  South Africa; 10 September 2024
MF Jackson Morgan (1998-08-18) 18 August 1998 (age 26) 18 0 Australia Bentleigh Greens v.  Sudan; 11 June 2024
MF Manyumow Achol (2000-12-10) 10 December 2000 (age 24) 12 0 Bulgaria Septemvri Sofia v.  Togo; 5 June 2024PRE
FW Valentino Yuel (1994-10-12) 12 October 1994 (age 30) 21 3 Uzbekistan Nasaf v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
FW Data Elly (1999-05-02) 2 May 1999 (age 26) 10 1 Uganda Onduparaka v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
FW Ebon Malish (2004-03-23) 23 March 2004 (age 21) 2 2 South Sudan Jamus v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
FW Ronald Innocent (2002-03-28) 28 March 2002 (age 23) 0 0 Italy Lucera Calcio v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
FW Emmanuel Jowang (2002-08-29) 29 August 2002 (age 22) 0 0 South Sudan Al-Malakia v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
FW Tito Lukciir (2004-10-22) 22 October 2004 (age 20) 0 0 South Sudan Simba v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
FW Tot Maet Unknown 0 0 Unknown v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
FW Ayom Majok (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Indonesia Persita Tangerang v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
FW Patrick Oleyo (2005-08-05) 5 August 2005 (age 20) 0 0 South Sudan Viva Star v.  South Africa, 19 November 2024
FW David Majak Chan (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 (age 24) 11 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Uganda; 15 October 2024
FW Alfred Leku (1997-09-16) 16 September 1997 (age 27) 3 0 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Uganda; 15 October 2024
FW Ajak Riak (2000-12-12) 12 December 2000 (age 24) 10 0 Uzbekistan AGMK v.  Uganda; 15 October 2024
FW Madit Mayor (2001-02-02) 2 February 2001 (age 24) 1 0 South Sudan Atlabara v.  Uganda; 15 October 2024
FW Francis Onekalit Odong (1996-08-18) 18 August 1996 (age 28) 3 0 Uganda Villa v.  Uganda; 15 October 2024
FW Machop Chol (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 26) 6 0 United States San Antonio FC v.  Sudan; 11 June 2024

Player Records and Achievements

These tables show the players who have played the most games and scored the most goals for South Sudan. Players whose names are in bold are still playing for the team.

Most Games Played

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Peter Chol 41 4 2015–present
2 Juma Genaro 34 0 2012–present
3 Peter Maker 33 0 2018–present
4 Dominic Abui Pretino 30 4 2013–2021
5 Leon Uso Khamis 29 3 2012–2022
6 Athir Thomas 26 1 2012–present
7 Tito Okello 25 6 2020–present
8 Ivan Wani 24 0 2020–present
9 Majak Mawith 23 0 2019–present
10 Rashid Toha 22 1 2021–present

Top Goal Scorers

Jamesmoga
James Moga is one of South Sudan's top goal scorers with 6 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 James Moga 6 18 0.33 2012–2017
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 41 0.1 2015–present
6 Sebit Bruno 3 10 0.3 2015–2016
Atak Lual 3 13 0.23 2014–2018
Valentino Yuel 3 21 0.14 2022–present
Leon Uso Khamis 3 29 0.1 2012–2022
10 Ebon Ezibon 2 2 1 2024–present
Richard Justin Lado 2 8 0.25 2012–2017
Wurube Robert Lopidia 2 10 0.2 2016–2018

Players Who Played for Two Countries

Some South Sudanese players also played for the Sudan national football team before South Sudan became an independent country.

  • James Moga – He was a forward for Sudan. He played in World Cup qualifiers in 2002 and 2006. He played 14 games and scored six goals for Sudan.
  • Richard Justin Lado – He was a strong defender for Sudan between 2008 and 2012.
  • Athir Thomas – He was a defender for Sudan before South Sudan became its own country.
  • Roy Gulwak – He was a goalkeeper for Sudan in two World Cup qualifier games in 2009.
  • Khamis Martin – He played one international game for Sudan in 2010.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Sudán del Sur para niños

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