EXCLUSIVE: Sam Surur Dante Calls for Urgent Infrastructure Reforms After South Sudan Cup Postponement

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.

Sports Hunter South Sudan:

How do you think this affects the teams and players involved in such an important match?

Sam Surur Dante:

Teams prepare mentally and physically for specific match days. When a game is postponed like this, it disrupts everything. It demotivates players, frustrates technical staff, and disappoints supporters.

It also creates uncertainty and mistrust within the system. Beyond that, there is an economic impact—teams and fans spend money on transport and logistics to attend matches, only for them to be called off. That is a big setback.

Sports Hunter South Sudan:

How common are such situations in Juba, and what does this say about football infrastructure in the city?

Sam Surur Dante:

Waterlogged pitches are very common in Juba, especially during the rainy season. Many fields become muddy, and in some cases, water even flows across the pitch, making it unplayable.

This clearly shows that football infrastructure in our city is still lacking. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, together with the South Sudan Football Federation, must increase efforts to improve pitches across the country.

Without proper infrastructure, we cannot develop quality players. Poor playing surfaces affect performance and increase the risk of injuries, which can ultimately destroy players’ careers.

The federation has done well in building capacity among coaches, referees, and administrators over the past five years, but this must be complemented with strong infrastructure development to fully grow the game.

Sports Hunter South Sudan:

Are there specific areas where you think investment is urgently needed?

Sam Surur Dante:

Yes, there is a strong need for investment in football infrastructure. We need more quality pitches to increase participation.

There is also a need to invest in facilities such as gyms and health clinics to support player development. Additionally, modern training equipment is essential to help players and coaches adapt to the evolving demands of the game.

Technology is also key—tools like GPS vests and performance tracking systems should be introduced to modernize football in South Sudan.

Sports Hunter South Sudan:

Beyond this one match, how do recurring issues like unplayable fields affect players’ performance, morale, and career development? And how do these challenges affect youth academies like Future Stars?

Sam Surur Dante:

These challenges affect every level of football—from grassroots to premier league clubs. In Juba and across South Sudan, teams and academies struggle with a shortage of playgrounds. Many are forced to share limited spaces.

For example, in areas like Zahara, up to four teams may rely on the same ground. This disrupts training schedules and limits player development.

Over time, this affects performance, morale, and even career growth. Without proper training environments, it becomes difficult to nurture talent effectively.

Sports Hunter South Sudan:

What steps can clubs, associations, and government stakeholders take to prevent such disruptions in the future?

Sam Surur Dante:

First, the government needs to increase the budget allocation for sports.

Second, multinational companies such as GPOC, DAR, NilePet, and MTN should come on board to support sports development through their corporate social responsibility programs. With proper government coordination, even a small percentage of their budgets can significantly improve infrastructure.

Third, clubs and associations must develop strong marketing strategies to attract sponsors and partners.

Finally, there should be efforts to lease land to investors who are willing to build modern football facilities.

Sports Hunter South Sudan:

Any final message to fans, clubs, and football authorities?

Sam Surur Dante:

Clubs and associations need to build strong and dynamic marketing teams that can promote their brands and attract investment.

At the same time, all stakeholders must come together to prioritize infrastructure development. Without proper grounds and planning, it will be difficult to move South Sudanese football forward.

Conclusion

The postponement of the South Sudan Cup playoff may have been caused by heavy rain, but the deeper issue lies in infrastructure gaps that continue to hinder the growth of football in South Sudan.

As stakeholders reflect on the incident, the call for better facilities, investment, and long-term planning has never been louder.