SPORTS HUNTER SOUTH SUDAN

By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan – March 20, 2026 The South Sudan Football Federation  has confirmed that the upcoming AFCON 2027 preliminary round fixtures between South Sudan and Djibouti will be played behind closed doors, following directives from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In a press release issued Friday evening and by the federation’s spokesperson, the Federation stated that both matches—scheduled for March 26 and March 29 —will take place without fans in attendance . “Following CAF directives, both matches will be played behind closed doors without fans. This is not due to any sanction against SSFF.” the statement read. The federation clarified that the decision is purely in compliance with CAF requirements and not linked to any disciplinary action. It further emphasized that only accredited media personnel will be granted access to the stadium, with strict limitations on attendance. “No tickets will be s...

Juba, South Sudan- 20th March 2026 - Yei Joint Stars FC have officially declared their readiness for the South Sudan Women’s Cup 2025/2026 final against Munuki SC , sending a strong and provocative message ahead of the highly anticipated clash. The “Super Queens” made the announcement through their official Facebook page on Friday, 20th March 2026 , following the conclusion of their preparations. In a post that quickly caught attention, the Yei-based side shared an image of snake meat being prepared for lunch—widely interpreted as a direct jab at their final opponents, Munuki SC , who are popularly known as “The Snakes.” Accompanying the image was a confident caption from the club: “Full time on training. The hard work is done, the focus is locked in. Lunch is being prepared at the Palace — fuel for champions.” The post adds extra spice to an already heated final, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown between two of South Sudan’s top women’s football sides.

By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan – 20th March 2026 – In a historic milestone for South Sudanese football, Lilian Prima , former fitness coach of Yei Joint Stars FC, has successfully completed the CAF B Coaching Licence , one of Africa’s most prestigious and internationally recognized coaching certifications.  Notably, Lilian is one of only three female coaches to attend the course, making her achievement a breakthrough for women in football in a country where opportunities for female coaches remain limited. The four-month program, which began on 10th November 2025 , combined rigorous theoretical and practical training . Coaches were tested on tactics, formations, session planning, and match management.  The practical exams, held at the Juba National Stadium , concluded on Thursday, 19th March 2026 , marking the culmination of an intensive journey that pushed participants to their limits. Before joining the CAF B course, Lilian had a...

  EXCLUSIVE | Puro Okelle Urges Youth to Dream Big as South Sudan’s Muay Thai Champions Head Home By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan  Juba, South Sudan - 19th March 2026 - The President of the South Sudan Kickboxing Federation, Puro Okelle Obob , has called on young people across the country to stay focused on their ambitions following the historic success of the three South Sudanese fighters at the 7th World Muay Thai Championship in Pattaya, Thailand. Okelle, who also serves as head coach, confirmed to Sports Hunter South Sudan that the three fighters are currently at Bangkok Airport and are expected to arrive in Juba on Friday at 9:30 AM aboard Ethiopian Airlines. The championship, held from March 12 to 18, 2026, brought together dozens of countries including Argentina, the Philippines, China, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, and France. The trio returns after a remarkable performance on the global stage, headlined by Abednego Thon, popularly known...

EXCLUSIVE: Sam S. Dante Calls for Urgent Infrastructure Reforms After South Sudan Cup Postponement Following the postponement of the South Sudan Cup 2025/2026 Playoff first leg between Gurei City FC (Juba) and Super Stars FC (Bor) due to heavy rain, Sports Hunter South Sudan  Reporter, Emmanuel Patrick Laku caught up with Sam Surur Dante , Managing Director of Future Stars Football Academy , to discuss the broader challenges facing football in the country. In this exclusive interview conducted in Juba on Wednesday, 18 March 2026 , Sports Hunter South Sudan explores the impact of poor infrastructure, player welfare, and the future of the game in South Sudan. Sports Hunter South Sudan: What was your reaction to the postponement of the playoff between Gurei City FC and Super Stars FC Bor? Sam Surur Dante: It’s disappointing because it was a highly anticipated match. However, the poor infrastructure—particularly at Bulluk Playground—made it difficult for the game to proceed. S...

 Sudan FA Olympic Team Kick Off Preparations in Berber Ahead of Key Friendlies The Sudan Football Association Olympic national team have officially launched their training camp in Berber, holding their first session on Monday evening under head coach Mohamed Mohi El-Din Al-Deiba. The camp signals the beginning of serious preparations ahead of the upcoming FIFA international window, where Sudan’s Olympic side are set to take on Equatorial Guinea and Zanzibar in international friendlies. With the technical staff keen to build a competitive and cohesive squad, the fixtures are expected to play a key role in assessing player readiness and tactical development ahead of future competitions.

 Sudan FA Calls Up 43 Players for Reserve National Team Camp in Al-Duweim The Sudan Football Association has announced a 43-player squad for the upcoming reserve national team training camp, scheduled to take place in Al-Duweim following the Eid al-Fitr holiday. The selected players, drawn from various domestic clubs, will be overseen by a technical staff led by Kifah Saleh Al-Jaili, alongside Salah Nour El-Din, Mohamed Al-Fateh Tabeez, Ahmed Al-Nour, and Ihab Abu Idris. The call-up forms part of the federation’s broader preparations for upcoming competitions, with a strong focus on developing young talents and strengthening the pipeline for the senior national team. The squad will enter camp after Eid, where players will undergo an intensive training program covering both physical conditioning and tactical preparation. Meanwhile, Hassan Mohamed Abdelbagi, a member of the National Teams Committee and supervisor of the reserve team, confirmed that all arrangements for the camp have ...

 Venus International FA Start U17 Girls Cup With a 3-1 Win Over Hai Baraka FA By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan  Juba, Bulluk Playground – Wednesday Morning: Venus International Football Academy kicked off their U17 Girls Cup campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory over Hai Baraka Football Academy. Nyanyai Ahol opened the scoring early in the first half, setting the tone for Venus. The lead doubled after Maneno James unfortunately netted an own goal, sending Venus into halftime 2-0 up. After the break, Monica Nyanyiel sealed the win for Venus, despite Maneno James pulling one back for Hai Baraka. With the win, Venus top Group A with 3 points, while Hai Baraka sit bottom with 0 points. The first edition of the U17 Girls Cup brought together 16 girls’ football academies.  The tournament, organised by the South Sudan Football Federation, aims to help select players for the U17 girls’ national team, giving young talents a platform to showcase their skills....

The U-17 Girls Cup officially kicked off this morning at Bulluk Playground in Juba, showcasing some of the brightest young talents in South Sudan. Organised by the South Sudan Football Federation, the tournament features 16 football academies competing for glory and a chance to impress national team selectors. The opening match sees Hai Al-Baraka Academy face Venus International Football Academy , kicking off an exciting competition.  Group Draw Group A: Venus International Academy, Hai Al-Baraka Academy, Juba Academy, Hyper Academy Group B: Blue Wave Academy, Juba City Academy, Maluth Academy, Premious Academy Group C: Eloi Nursery Academy, Victoria Academy, Lion of Africa Academy, Everest High Soccer Academy Group D: Jamus Academy, Jabal Star Academy, Eden Academy, Munuki Academy Tournament Format The top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals , with winners moving on to the semi-finals and ultimately the final to determine the champions. Pri...

 El Merriekh SC Bentiu Beat Viva Stars FC 2-0 in Friendly at Bulluk Playground Juba, Soutb Sudan - 18th March 2026 - South Sudan Premier League leaders El Merriekh SC Bentiu continued their preparations for upcoming league fixtures with a 2-0 friendly win over Viva Stars FC at Bulluk Playground, Juba, on Wednesday. Tot Maet opened the scoring in the first half for the Bentiu-based side, before Mohammed Musa sealed the victory with a second goal. The friendly served as a key warm-up for both sides: Coach Husein Ibrahim used it to fine-tune his team ahead of their next Premier League matches, while Coach Simon Lagu’s Viva Stars focused on preparations for their Konyokonyo League clash against El Merriekh SC. El Merriekh SC currently sit atop the South Sudan Premier League, while Viva Stars are positioned in the middle of the Konyokonyo League standings.

 Atlabara FC Winger Jonathan Gem Dropped from South Sudan Senior Squad After Friendly By Emmanuel Patrick Laku Lo Flora | Sports Hunter South Sudan Juba, South Sudan – 14 March 2026 – Atlabara FC winger Jonathan Gem has been dropped from the South Sudan senior men’s national team after featuring in the Bright Stars’ 2–0 friendly win over Holy Family at Juba National Stadium on Saturday. The 18-year-old, called up to the senior squad for the first time, came on as a second-half substitute in the match. Following the game, Gem took to Facebook to express his gratitude: "I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the SSFF and the coaching staff for the opportunity to represent my nation. I’m grateful for the experience, lessons, and what I’ve learned. Wishing the team all the best for the Djibouti games! Go Bright Stars” The Bright Stars will face Djibouti in the AFCON 2027 preliminary round on 26 and 29 March at Juba National Stadium.  The team is under interim coach Cyprian Ash...

 Ngulawa United File Petition Over “Best Loser” Decision in South Sudan Cup Juba, South Sudan – 13 March 2026 – Ngulawa United have submitted a formal petition to the South Sudan Football Federation challenging the decision to select Al-Merrikh FC Aweil as the best loser to join the winners of Groups A, B, and C in the playoff stage that will determine qualification for the Round of 16 of the South Sudan Cup 2025/2026. The decision was made by the federation’s Competition Committee, citing Article 2.4 of the South Sudan Cup Regulations. Ngulawa United were left out despite drawing 1–1 against Gurei City FC, while Al-Merrikh FC Aweil, who competed in Group A in Wau, played out a 0–0 draw with YDS Yirol. Ngulawa United are now contesting the decision, arguing that the criteria used to determine the best losing team should be reviewed. The Mundri-based club filed the petition in Juba on Friday, seeking clarification and reconsideration of the federation’s decision.

 Women’s South Sudan Cup in Numbers: 5 Al Darajat FC scored a total of 5 goals in the 2025/2026 South Sudan Women’s Cup, but their campaign came to a heavy end against Yei Joint Stars FC in the semifinals. The Wau - based side netted 4 goals in the first leg of the quarterfinals, against Bentiu City. They scored 1 goal in the first leg of the semifinals against Yei Joint Stars. However, Yei Joint Stars responded emphatically, eliminating Al Darajat with a 20–1 aggregate score, highlighting the gulf in class at this stage of the competition. Despite the defeat, Coach Ernesta’s side showed glimpses of attacking promise and will look to rebuild for next season.

Gurei City FC Set to Host Super Stars FC in South Sudan Cup Thriller Juba, South Sudan - 17th March 2026 - Gurei City FC of Juba will take on Super Stars FC from Bor in the first leg of the South Sudan Cup 2025–2026 National Qualifiers Playoff at the Bulluk Playground this Wednesday. Both teams are chasing a place in the Round of 16 , with the winner of this two-legged tie advancing to the next stage of the prestigious national competition. This encounter also marks the first-ever meeting between Gurei City and Super Stars across all competitions, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the fixture. Match Details: Gurei City FC 🆚 Super Stars FC Bor 📅 Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2026 ⏰ Kick-Off: 3:30 PM 📍 Venue: Bulluk Playground, Juba Fans can expect a fiercely contested clash as both sides aim to make their mark in South Sudan’s flagship cup competition.

 Bright Stars Lose 1-0 to Jamus SC in Juba Friendly Ahead of AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Juba, South Sudan - 17th March 2026 - The South Sudan Senior Men’s National Football Team suffered a 1-0 defeat to Premier League side Jamus SC in a friendly at Juba National Stadium on Tuesday. Jude Ssemugabi converted a penalty to secure the win for the Buffaloes , with the Bright Stars unable to find a response despite periods of attacking pressure. The friendly served as part of South Sudan’s preparations for the AFCON 2027 preliminary round double-header against Djibouti, scheduled for 26th and 29th March 2026, and also as a warm-up for Jamus SC, the Buffaloes, ahead of crucial league fixtures as they aim to defend their crown. The Bright Stars were overseen on an interim basis by Cyprian Ashu, who was appointed to manage the team for the two upcoming qualifying matches, giving the squad tactical guidance and match readiness ahead of the competitive fixtures.

  Djibouti Names 23-Man Squad for AFCON 2027 Preliminary Round Against South Sudan The Fédération Djiboutienne de Football has officially announced a 23-man squad for the Djibouti national football team ahead of the AFCON 2027 preliminary round doubleheader against South Sudan national football team . The squad was revealed recently through the federation’s official Facebook page , giving fans a first look at the players set to represent Djibouti in the upcoming clash. The two-leg encounter is scheduled to be played in Juba, at the Juba National Stadium , on 26th and 29th March 2026 , as both sides aim to secure a spot in the next stage of Africa’s premier international tournament. Featuring a mix of experienced internationals and emerging talents, Djibouti is hoping to challenge the Bright Stars across both legs.

Victor Lawrence Backs Nawal Abdulkarim as Standout Goalkeeper By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan  Juba, South Sudan - 17th March 2026 - Former Secretary General of the South Sudan Football Federation, Victor Lawrence, has today publicly backed Nawal Abdulkarim , describing her as the leading goalkeeper in the women’s game while encouraging further improvement. “Nawal Abdulkarim currently the best women goalkeeper, although she needs to improve in some areas. All the best to the other goalkeepers,” Victor Lawrence stated. The comment came in response to a fan engagement post by Diva Sports asking followers who comes to mind when they think of the Golden Glove. Nawal, who represents Yei Joint Stars FC, has been in exceptional form in the ongoing Women’s South Sudan Cup, conceding just one goal so far. She has also kept three clean sheets in her last four matches , highlighting her consistency and command in goal. With the final set for Saturday at the Juba Nationa...

  Sony Hariet Alfred Eyes CAF B License to Elevate Women’s Football in South Sudan By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan - Juba, South Sudan - 16th March 20026 - Former Yei Joint Stars FC head coach Sony Hariet Alfred is taking a bold step in her coaching journey by enrolling in the prestigious CAF B License course, one of the continent’s top coaching certifications. The program, which began on 10 November 2025, spans four months of intensive theoretical and practical sessions. The practical exams kicked off today at the Juba National Stadium and will wrap up on Thursday. Speaking about her participation, Sony highlighted the significance of female representation in coaching: “As female coaches, we are only three, and while three may not seem like a lot, it’s enough for us to go out and change women’s football.” Sony, who began her coaching career with Yei Joint Stars Fc , guided the Super Queens to five trophies, including the inaugural South Sudan National Women’...

  SSFF Conducts U-17 Girls Cup Draw in Juba Juba, South Sudan - 12th March 2026 - The draw for the U-17 Girls Cup 2025/2026 has been conducted at the South Sudan Football Federation Headquarters in Juba, confirming the groups for the youth tournament that will feature 16 girls’ football academies. Group A 1. Venus International Football Academy 2. Hai Baraka Football Academy 3. Joppa Stars Football 4. Hyper Football Academy Group B 1. Blue Wave Football Academy 2. Premious Football Academy 3. Juba City Football Academy 4. Maluth Stars Football Academy Group C 1. Eloi Nursery & Primary School Football Academy 2. Victorious Future Girls Football Academy 3. Lions of Africa Football Academy 4. Everest Height Football Academy Group D 1. Jamus Football Academy 2. Jebel Star Football Academy 3. Eden Football Academy 4. Munuki Football Academy The tournament will kick off on 17 March 2026, with the opening match between Venus International Football Academy and Hai Baraka Football Aca...

By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku Juba, South Sudan - 8th March 2026 - Sarah Jafar scored the decisive goal as Wajuma FC Aweil edged Lighton FC Torit 1-0 in the second leg of the Women's South Sudan Cup Quarter-finals at the Juba National Stadium on Sunday morning. Sarah carried the ball past the Lighton defense with pace before unleashing a powerful right-footed strike into the near post — a finish the goalkeeper could not contain. The win ensures the Lioness of Aweil progress to the semi-finals with a 4-0 aggregate , building on their 3-0 victory in the first leg.

  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 ...

 📸 Mauritania U17 (Islamic Republic of Mauritania) Arrive in Algeria The Mauritania Under-17 national team (The Mourabitounes), representing the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, arrived in Algeria on Sunday morning for a preparatory training camp under head coach Yacoub Fall. The camp will feature two friendly matches as the team prepares for upcoming international competitions.