“It Wasn’t Easy, But the Boys Delivered” – Viva Star Coach Simon Lagu After Simba Victory

“It Wasn’t Easy, But the Boys Delivered” – Viva Star Coach Simon Lagu After Simba Victory

Sports Hunter South Sudan - Juba

Viva Star FC Head Coach Simon Lagu praised his side's resilience after they battled from behind to defeat 10 men Simba FC 2-1 in Matchday 2 of the Juba Football Association First Division League, widely known as the Konyokonyo League, at the Bulluk Playground on Wedneasday.

The win marks Viva Star’s third consecutive league victory over Simba, following a 2-0 and 3-0 double over the Dababat last season. It also pushes The Fighters to the top of the league standings alongside Meriekh FC, both sitting on 4 points after two games.

“The match was very hard. We came from one goal down, and I want to thank my boys for the result they brought,” Lagu said post-match. “We made some key substitutions during the game, and that’s what helped us turn things around. It was tough, but we fought for it.”

One of those game-changing substitutions was forward Mangisto Ceasar, known as "Mbappé", who came off the bench and scored the winning goal after his cross slipped past the Simba goalkeeper.

Coach Lagu explained the thinking behind introducing him:

“Every striker has his own style,” he noted. “Sometimes, the opponent gives you a clue during the game. At that moment, we didn’t have a player who could take on defenders one-on-one. Mangisto is good at that, so I asked him to come in and work those situations — and that’s exactly how he got the goal.”

With momentum now on their side, Lagu issued a humble but focused message to The Fighters’ supporters ahead of their next game against Amarat United.

“Football is not easy,” he said. “The next match will be different. Every game has its own style. We need to prepare well — and if we do that, I believe we can bring a good result.”

Konyokonyo League Standings – After Matchday 2

1️⃣ Viva Star FC – 4 pts (+1 GD)
1️⃣ Meriekh FC – 4 pts
3️⃣ Simba FC – 3 pts

Next Fixture:
Viva Star FC vs. Amarat United
Thursday, 2nd October 2025
3:00 PM
Buluk Training Center