Hakim Defends Ashu Absence After South Sudan Defeat in Juba

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By | Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan

Juba, South Sudan - 29th March 2026 - South Sudan National Football Team assistant coach Rizik Hakim  has defended the absence of interim head coach Cyprian Ashu from the post-match press conference following South Sudan’s 1-0 defeat to Djibouti at the Juba National Stadium on Sunday evening.

The post-match press conference was delayed for over 20 minutes due to unknown reasons, with Hakim eventually addressing the media in place of the head coach.

Responding to questions from journalists, Hakim dismissed suggestions that Ashu’s absence was a sign of disrespect.

“The game’s principle and culture are based on respect and mutual recognition, so I don’t think Coach Cyprian Ashu’s absence here is a deliberate underestimation of another team. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have played against Djibouti. Playing against Djibouti means respect for the Djiboutian team, but I can’t go further into some administrative and technical matters. This is my answer to you. Everyone in the game deserves respect, including everyone in the Djibouti team.”

South Sudan fell 1-0 on the night, with scoring the only goal in the 77th minute to hand the visitors victory.

Despite the defeat, the Bright Stars progressed to the next round of the with a 4-1 aggregate win.

Ashu was recently appointed on an interim basis, replacing for the two-legged encounter.

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