SPORTS HUNTER SOUTH SUDAN

Did you know? Hassen James Martin became the first player in South Sudan’s national team history to be subbed in and subbed out in an AFCON qualifier! ⚽🇸🇸 It happened on 10th June 2017 at the Stade Prince Louis Rwagasore in Burundi during the 2019 AFCON qualifiers (Group C). Hassen came on in the 40th minute , replacing Zakaria Benasio, when the Bright Stars were 3-0 down . He later made way in the 72nd minute for Yasir Khamis. Though it was a challenging night, Hassen’s unique record has made him a part of Bright Stars history !  💬 Fans, what do you think about Hassen’s performance that day? Drop your memories and reactions below!

  Juba, South Sudan- 1st April 2026 - Al Ghazala FC Wau booked their place in the quarterfinals of the South Sudan Cup 2025/2026 after a convincing 3–0 victory over Koryom FC Bor in the Round of 16. In an all–South Sudan Premier League clash, Ayup starred in the encounter with a brilliant brace, while Chudier Abraham added the third goal to seal a comfortable win for the Wau-based side. The match was played on Wednesday at Juba National Stadium, as Al Ghazala delivered a dominant performance to progress in the tournament.

By Summy Duku Ezbon – Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan | 1st April 2026 – Juba Model Primary School lifted the Scripture Union Primary Schools’ Tournament trophy after a dramatic 5–4 penalty shootout win over Juba One Boys, following a thrilling 3–3 draw in a pulsating final. The four-team competition, held in Juba, featured Buluk A1, Buluk A2, Juba One Boys, and Juba Model, providing a vibrant showcase of young football talent and competitive school-level football. Road to the Final Juba One Boys started strongly, securing a 2–0 victory over Buluk A1 in the tournament opener. Meanwhile, Juba Model battled Buluk A2 to a 1–1 draw, ultimately advancing 4–2 on penalties to set up a blockbuster final clash with Juba One. The Grand Finale The final did not disappoint, delivering six goals and high drama. James Majok (Subut) opened the scoring for Juba Model in the 5th minute, only for Juba One captain Emmanuel Ladu to equalise in the 24th. Okong gave Juba One the lead in the 57th...

The Confederation of African Football has unveiled a youth-driven and inclusive panel of match officials for the CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals, scheduled to take place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 2–10 April 2026. Now in its fourth edition since its 2022 launch, the championship continues to provide a key development platform for young football talent across Africa, while equally nurturing emerging referees. The appointed refereeing team features both male and female officials from across the continent, with the youngest members just 17 years old. All selected officials are products of the CAF Young Referees Programme, an initiative aimed at identifying and developing officiating talent at grassroots level. These referees have already played a central role during the Zonal Qualifiers and will continue to officiate during the Continental Finals, ensuring high standards of officiating and fair play throughout the tournament. The CAF African Schools Football Ch...

South Sudan national football team secured qualification to the next round of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers despite a 1-0 defeat to Djibouti national football team at the Juba National Stadium. South Sudan were led by fitness coach Brin George, with interim head coach Cyprian Ashu once again absent from the touchline for unknown reasons, while Djibouti were under the guidance of Mohammed Meraneh Hassan. The Bright Stars came into the second leg with a commanding 4-0 advantage and managed the game to seal a 4-1 aggregate victory. After a quiet first half with limited chances, Djibouti showed greater urgency after the break. Their persistence paid off in the 77th minute when Samuel Temidayo finished a well-worked move to give the visitors the lead. South Sudan pushed for a response but were unable to break through, as Djibouti held on to claim victory on the night. Despite the defeat, South Sudan remained firmly in control of the tie, with their dominant fir...

Photo Credit: Juba Joint Fans | Christopher Nyang named man of the match By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan — 30 March 2026 — Rainbow FC suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Bajur FC in a postponed Week 21 fixture of the Juba Football Association 1st Division League at Bulluk Playground on Sunday evening. Karaba Jackson gave Bajur an early lead, putting Rainbow under immediate pressure. Despite their efforts to respond, Rainbow struggled to find a breakthrough. Christopher Nyang then sealed the victory in the final quarter of the match, dashing Rainbow’s hopes of a late comeback with a second goal. The win sees Bajur leapfrog Talanga FC and Viva Stars FC into third place on the table with 37 points, while Rainbow remain second with 44 points. The result also has major implications at the top of the table, as it mathematically confirms Munuki SC as champions of the 2025–2026 Konyokonyo League season. Munuki, known as the “Snakes,” sit top with 62 point...

By | Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan - 29th March 2026 - South Sudan National Football Team assistant coach Rizik Hakim  has defended the absence of interim head coach Cyprian Ashu from the post-match press conference following South Sudan’s 1-0 defeat to Djibouti at the Juba National Stadium on Sunday evening. The post-match press conference was delayed for over 20 minutes due to unknown reasons, with Hakim eventually addressing the media in place of the head coach. Responding to questions from journalists, Hakim dismissed suggestions that Ashu’s absence was a sign of disrespect. “The game’s principle and culture are based on respect and mutual recognition, so I don’t think Coach Cyprian Ashu’s absence here is a deliberate underestimation of another team. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have played against Djibouti. Playing against Djibouti means respect for the Djiboutian team, but I can’t go further into some administrative and technical matters...

By | Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan - 29th March 2026 - Sputh Sudan National Football Team assistant coach Rizik Hakim struck a composed tone after his side’s 1-0 defeat to Djibouti in the second leg of the AFCON 2027 quallifiers  preliminary round on Sunday in Juba. Speaking after the match, Hakim acknowledged Djibouti’s improved performance while keeping the focus firmly on qualification. “Djibouti played a good game today, different from the first leg. First, we would like to recognise and congratulate Djibouti, and hard luck to the South Sudan team. But the main concern is the team’s progress to the next level.” The decisive moment came in the 77th minute when formwr El Merriekh Bentiu striker Samuel Akinbinu netted the only goal of the match to hand Djibouti victory on the night. Despite the result, South Sudan progressed with a 4-1 aggregate win, having done the hard work in the first leg. Ranked among the 12 lowest teams at the ...

Munuki SC 1-0 Simba FC Week 25 | Juba Football Association 1st Division League | Bulluk Playground Munuki SC secured a narrow but vital 1-0 victory over Simba FC in their Week 25 fixture at the Bulluk Playground.  Edward Lobojo scored the only goal in the 25th minute , giving Coach Kayanga John’s side a crucial lead that they held until full time. With this win, Munuki SC strengthen their hopes of lifting the 2025/2026 league trophy , now sitting 18 points clear of second-placed Rainbow FC, who have four games in hand.  Simba FC remain in 5th place with 35 points . This result keeps Munuki SC firmly in control at the top of the league, demonstrating their consistency and determination as the season heads into the final stretch. Munuki SC needs just 1 win (3 points) from their remaining 3 games to mathematically clinch the league, regardless of Rainbow FC’s results.