OPINION | Mohammed Adel's Surprise Inclusion Raises More Questions Than Answers

OPINION | Mohammed Adel's Surprise Inclusion Raises More Questions Than Answers

By Emmanuel Patrick

The unexpected presence of Sudanese forward Mohammed Adel in the South Sudan national team training camp has come as a surprise to many — not because of his talent, but because of the complete lack of clarity and justification behind his call-up.

Adel, who plays for Jamus SC, was not named in Coach Nicolas Dupuis' 26-man provisional squad for the upcoming international engagements. Moreover, there has been no official communication from the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) regarding his inclusion or any ongoing nationality switch process.

What makes this situation even more puzzling is the fact that Adel has not featured for Jamus SC since the beginning of the 2025/26 season. He was absent during:

• The South Sudan Super Cup

• The CAF Champions League preliminary round against Al Hilal SC

• And Jamus SC’s Premier League opener

In short, he hasn’t kicked a ball in a competitive fixture this season. So, how does a player with zero match fitness and no recent form find himself training with the national team?

If the technical team’s goal is to naturalize players to strengthen the squad, then surely the focus should be on reinforcing weak areas, not adding depth to already well-covered positions. South Sudan is currently blessed with a number of capable forwards — from Tito Okello to Stephen Dhieu — all of whom are actively playing and delivering for their respective clubs.

In contrast, the midfield remains a glaring weakness, particularly the defensive midfield role where South Sudan has struggled with balance, positioning, and composure. That’s where someone like Mudathir Mohammed, also of Jamus SC, makes far more sense. Mudathir has been a consistent performer at club level, known for his tactical discipline and ball-winning ability — exactly what the national team needs right now.

This situation echoes a similar misstep in the past when Ugandan-born Adnan was switched and featured briefly for South Sudan. At the time, he was playing for Nasir FC, but his involvement was cut short when the number of foreign-born players allowed in the starting XI was reduced to five. That incident should have served as a lesson in long-term planning and proper vetting.

Instead, it seems we are repeating history — switching players without a clear need, plan, or transparency. And once again, it appears to come at the expense of local players who are active, in form, and waiting for their chance.

Until the SSFA or the technical bench provides an explanation, the inclusion of Mohammed Adel feels less like a bold tactical decision and more like a questionable gamble, lacking both merit and foresight.

South Sudan’s national team should be built on merit, form, and positional need — not on quiet deals and unexplained inclusions. Otherwise, we risk undermining the integrity of our squad and missing opportunities to build a truly competitive team.