El Merriekh Coach Admits Side Was “Lucky” After Draw With Bajur FC in Konyokonyo League Opener

By


 El Merriekh Coach Admits Side Was “Lucky” After Draw With Bajur FC in Konyokonyo League Opener


JUBA, Sept 15, 2025 – El Merriekh FC head coach Richard Olari Orji admitted his side was “lucky” to walk away with a point after a hard-fought draw against newly promoted Bajur FC in the opening match of the 2025/26 Juba Football Association First Division League, popularly known as the Konyokonyo League.

The match, played on Monday evening at the Bulluk Playground in Juba, saw Bajur FC mark their top-flight debut in style, pushing El Merriekh to the limit throughout the contest.

In his post-match interview, Coach Olari praised the intensity of the newcomers while criticizing his own team’s complacency:

“It was a tough game, and a nice game. This is what we were not expecting. As a new team coming from another division, I was sure they would give us a good fight. They wanted to prove to people they are not here by mistake. We underrated them, and I paid for it dearly. Although we are lucky to get a point, we’ll take it from here and work on it more.”

El Merriekh FC, who finished 7th last season, came into the fixture as favorites, but Bajur FC – promoted from the second division last season – showed no signs of nerves as they battled for every ball.

The result sets the tone for what promises to be a competitive Konyokonyo League season, with Bajur announcing their arrival among the big boys in Juba football.


Comments

Post a Comment

Most viewed posts (last 30 days)

SOUTH SUDAN FORMER INTERIM COACH ASHU BACKS BRIGHT STARS TO COMPETE IN TOUGH AFCON 2027 GROUP

By
Image
South Sudan former interim head coach Cyprian Ashu believes the Bright Stars can challenge for qualification in Group B of the TotalEnergies AFCON 2027 qualifiers despite being drawn against Egypt, Angola and Malawi. Ashu, who was appointed as interim coach on March 12, 2026, in his second spell with the Bright Stars, successfully guided South Sudan past Djibouti in the preliminary round to secure a place in the group stages. Reacting to the draw, the Cameroonian tactician described the group as “interesting, promising and very difficult,” while highlighting the pedigree of African giants Egypt. “Egypt, we all know, has won so many African Cup of Nations trophies, probably only rivaled by Cameroon. They are also a very good team,” Ashu said. He also pointed to the strength of Angola and Malawi, two sides he has closely analysed and faced in recent qualification campaigns. “Angola is a very good team with many players based in Portugal, while Malawi are also a side we know very well,” ...
Read full story

Ethiopia Cruise Past South Sudan with Emphatic Aggregate Victory

By
Image
  Ethiopia’s U-17 women’s side delivered a dominant performance in Addis Ababa, thrashing South Sudan 6-0 in the second leg of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Building on their first-leg advantage, the Ethiopians showed class and control throughout the encounter at the Addis Ababa Stadium, leaving South Sudan with little room to respond. The result sealed an emphatic 8-0 aggregate victory, confirming Ethiopia’s progression to the next round in convincing fashion. Second Leg: 🇪🇹 6-0 🇸🇸 Aggregate: 🇪🇹 8-0 🇸🇸 Competition: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Read full story

🇸🇸 EXCLUSIVE | Viola Doki: “We Will Come Back Stronger for South Sudan”

By
Image
By Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan South Sudan U-17 women’s national team goalkeeper Viola Doki has spoken exclusively to Sports Hunter South Sudan following a challenging FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 preliminary round campaign. The junior Bright Starlets fell 2–0 in Juba before suffering a 6–0 defeat in Addis Ababa against Ethiopia , ending their qualification hopes—but for Doki, the experience marks the beginning of a bigger journey. 🎙️ On her debut for South Sudan “It was a massive honor to represent South Sudan for the first time,” Doki said. “Making my debut and being trusted as the first-choice goalkeeper meant everything to me, even though it was a tough experience. “I took responsibility for my role, just as my teammates did theirs. Now that the debut is done, it’s about going back, working harder, and improving for the next opportunity.” 🎙️ Reflecting on the two matches “It was a very difficult campaign for us,” she admitted. “We had high ex...
Read full story

Laku Lo Flora’s Lens of Freedom Earns Continental Recognition at AIPS Awards

By
Image
  By: Sports Hunter South Sudan - South Sudanese multimedia journalist Emmanuel Patrick Laku, widely known as Laku Lo Flora, has once again secured a place among Africa’s top sports storytellers, finishing 10th in the Photography (Sports Action) category at the AIPS Sport Media Awards with his compelling piece, “Flying High for Freedom.” The recognition marks his third appearance in the AIPS top 10, underlining a growing reputation for consistent, high-quality storytelling on the international stage. In 2023, Laku finished 6th in the Video Short Feature category with “United in Juba, Hearts in Philippines,” and also claimed 10th place in the Photography Portfolio category with “Bottles.” Laku works with the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) as a reporter, where he also presents news for the radio section. His work spans video editing, photography, and videography—skills that continue to shape his distinctive storytelling style across multiple platforms. Beyond the newsroo...
Read full story

Victor Lawrence: Carrying a Nation’s Expectations — and the Silence of a Paused Passion

By
Image
   Feature | Inside pressure, disqualification, and the quiet return of identity By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan 28th April 2026 - There are moments in football that are recorded in results — and others that are carried long after the result is forgotten. For Victor Lawrence, former Secretary General of the South Sudan Football Federation , the defining chapter of his 4 years and 7 months in office , which ended in November 2025 , lives in those quieter moments. Not in victory. But in responsibility.  “I was trying to build something that would last” Before the setbacks, there was intention. “I challenged myself to leave something meaningful behind — building pathways for coaches through CAF C and B diplomas, and putting structures in place.” It was a long-term vision inside a system under constant short-term demand. “The most difficult pressure was balancing expectations with reality.” Expectations came from everywher...
Read full story

Orat Explains Kator FC Exit, Cites Lack of Respect from New Leadership

By
Image
By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan - 9th April 20226 - Former Kator FC head coach Nicola Peter Orat has opened up on the reasons behind his resignation, pointing to a breakdown in relations with the club’s new administration. In an interview conducted by Hatrick 24 and monitored by Sports Hunter South Sudan, Orat said he felt undervalued and disrespected by members of the newly appointed steering committee. “The reason for the resignation is the new administration. The newly appointed people did not give me my value and were not respecting me,” he said. The coach, who had initially chosen to remain silent, confirmed he decided to speak publicly to clarify his position. “I had opted not to discuss what happened, but today I’m talking in the media.” Orat stepped down shortly after Kator’s draw with Lion Hunters FC in the South Sudan Premier League — a match that saw him face his curren side. Background Kator FC’s steering committee officially accept...
Read full story

Soanarivo’s Goalkeeper Routine Caught in Action During Olympic Qualifier in Juba

By
Image
Photo by: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Caption: Madagascar goalkeeper Anastasie Soanarivo was seen spitting on her gloves during the CAF Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Qualifiers match against the South Sudan women’s national team at Juba National Stadium on 9 June 2026. The in-game routine is a common goalkeeper technique used to moisten the latex and improve grip and control of the ball in real time.
Read full story

Exclusive Interview: Rizik Hakim Outlines His Vision for Al Ghazala SC Wau Ahead of CAF Confederation Cup Campaign

By
Image
  Interview by Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Newly appointed Al Ghazala SC Wau head coach Rizik Hakim is preparing for a historic continental challenge after taking charge of the club ahead of their participation in the preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. The CAF B Diploma holder arrives with extensive experience across South Sudan football, having worked with Atlabara, Malakia, Kator as assistant and head coach on three occasions, Viva Star FC, Al Rabita FC as head coach twice, Merriekh FC Juba as head coach twice, and Jamus FC as an assistant coach. Hakim has also served as an assistant coach with the South Sudan Senior Women’s National Team and the South Sudan Men’s National Team. His coaching career has been highlighted by success at both club and academy level. As head coach of Kator FC, he guided the club to two South Sudan Cup final (Juba)  appearances during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons. While at Future Stars Football Academy, he help...
Read full story

South Sudan U-17 Women Goalkeeping Coach Resigns After Heavy Aggregate Defeat

By
Image
  By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan  Juba, South Sudan- 20th April 2026 - South Sudan U-17 women’s national team goalkeeping coach Mohammed S. Both has stepped down from his role following the team’s crushing 8–0 aggregate defeat to Ethiopia in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifiers. The second-leg 6-0 loss, played in Addis Ababa on Sunday evening, confirmed the team’s exit from the qualifiers and triggered an emotional response from the coach. In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Mohammed. announced his resignation, saying: “Following the disastrous result in today’s match, I found no option but to step down from my position as goalkeepers’ coach of the national women’s teams.” He also called for accountability within the setup, adding: “I hope that everyone who feels they contributed to this defeat will also take responsibility and resign — I am tired of excuses.” The outgoing coach extended an apology to supporters, stating: “I apolog...
Read full story

SSFF Announces 34-Man Provisional Squad for Djibouti Clash

By
Image
  By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku Juba, South Sudan - 8th March 2026 - The South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) National Teams Committee has announced a 34-player provisional squad for the South Sudan national football team ahead of their double-header against the Djibouti national football team in the preliminary round qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Both matches will be played at the Juba National Stadium in Juba, with the Bright Star set to host Djibouti’s “Shoremen of the Red Sea” on 26 and 29 March 2026. The provisional squad announced through the federation's official facebook page brings together 34 players, including 3 goalkeepers, 12 defenders, 9 midfielders, and 10 forwards, as the technical team begins preparations for the crucial AFCON qualifiers. Among the surprise call-ups is left-back Bangasi Bakasoro of Al Merriekh SC Bentiu, who has featured in only a few matches since returning to competitive football with the club. Another notable inclusion is Lazarus ...
Read full story