Bright Stars Begin Preparations for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

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By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku - Juba, South Sudan – Saturday, 23 August 2025


South Sudan’s senior men’s national football team, the Bright Stars, kicked off their preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 African Qualifiers with a training session at the Juba National Stadium on Saturday morning.

The session was conducted under the guidance of Assistant Coach Simon James and Fitness Coach Brin George, with players from the South Sudan Premier League taking part. The foreign-based players, alongside Head Coach Nicolas Dupuis, are expected to join the squad in the coming days.

Photos from the first training session, shared on the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) official Facebook page, revealed the return of coach Kennedy Saturlino, popularly known as Dida. Saturlino, who had earlier been replaced by Mohammed Seif Both as the national team’s goalkeeping coach, was spotted back with the team, though no official communication regarding his reinstatement has been issued.

Currently sitting 5th in Group B with three points, the Bright Stars face a crucial clash against group leaders Congo, who top the table with 13 points, in Matchday 7 at the Juba National Stadium. They will then travel to Nouakchott to face Mauritania, who are bottom of the table with only two points.

South Sudan will be aiming to bounce back from their 1-0 loss to the Leopards in Kinshasa on Matchday 5. A strong result at home will be vital before their decisive away fixture against Mauritania on 9th September 2025.



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