SPORTS HUNTER SOUTH SUDAN

Real Madrid have officially announced the appointment of Portuguese coach José Mourinho as the new head coach of the first team until June 2029. The Spanish giants confirmed the decision following a board meeting chaired by club president Florentino Pérez. Mourinho is set to begin preparations for the new season on July 13, marking his highly anticipated return to the Santiago Bernabéu dugout. The move signals a major new era for Real Madrid as they aim to strengthen their dominance in Spanish and European football. #RealMadrid #Mourinho #LaLiga #SportsNews ⚽

UEFA has named Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan as the match official for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg. The appointment represents a major milestone in Artan's refereeing career, with the Somali international entrusted to oversee one of European football's most prestigious annual fixtures. Artan has steadily risen through the ranks of African and international officiating in recent years, earning recognition for his performances in continental and FIFA competitions. The 2026 UEFA Super Cup will see UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain take on UEFA Europa League champions Aston Villa, with Artan set to become the centre of attention as he takes charge of the season-opening European showpiece. 

  Former Viva Stars FC striker Patrick Oleyo Jimmy has officially become a free agent following the expiration of his contract with Kator FC. The forward joined Kator FC on 16th Jan 2026 on a six-month deal after departing Jamus SC, with the agreement set to run until 31 May 2026. Sports Hunter South Sudan has obtained an official document signed by former Kator FC secretary Robert Ohia Honorato and addressed to the Secretary General of the South Sudan Football Federation on 16 January 2026, confirming the player's scheduled release at the end of his contract. The letter states: "The board has resolved that, on the last day of May 31st 2026 we shall release the player Patrick Oleyo Jimmy from the club list and become player to further any sport activities. Hence this letter serves as an evidence and testimony of the club to the player that we shall implement the agreement in letter and spirit." With his contract now expired, Oleyo is free to negotiate and sign with any cl...

South Sudan women’s national team captain Sumaya Malili admitted she fell short of her usual standards after the Bright Starlets were eliminated from the CAF Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Qualifiers following a 1-0 stoppage-time defeat at Juba National Stadium. Speaking after the match, Sumaya acknowledged the pressure of the occasion affected her performance in a tightly contested return-leg encounter. “I really felt I didn’t give my best like I always do. I thought a lot about this game, I really wanted to win. I think there was a little bit of pressure, thinking about how to push the team, and that might have made me not give my best,” she said. The late goal in stoppage time ended South Sudan’s qualification hopes, sealing a painful exit from the tournament despite a resilient team performance throughout the match.

Juba-based club Al-Hurriya, competing in the Juba Football Association First Division League, has donated sporting equipment to the referees’ committee of the Mundri Sub-Football Association during a ceremony held at Hotel HP in Mundri. The initiative is aimed at strengthening refereeing standards and improving the quality of local football competitions across all divisions, while supporting match officials to perform their duties more efficiently and professionally. The Al-Hurriya delegation was led by club president Dr. Joseph Mandi, alongside secretary James Victor and club advisor Professor Wani Anthony.  The referees’ committee was represented by secretary Baraka Alex and Chance Absay, vice-chairman of competitions in the Mundri Sub-Football Association. The donated materials included whistles, cards, stopwatches, notebooks, pens, coins, flags, substitution boards, boots, and kits. (Source: Hatrick 24)

The South Sudan U-17 Women’s National Team, the Junior Starlets, have departed Juba for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, ahead of the U-17 CECAFA Women’s Championship scheduled to kick off on 13 June 2026. Following their departure, the Junior Starlets have been drawn in Group B of the tournament, where they will face Uganda and Djibouti in the group stage.