South Sudan Progress Despite Setback as Hakim Praises Djibouti Display

By | Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan

Juba, South Sudan - 29th March 2026 - Sputh Sudan National Football Team assistant coach Rizik Hakim struck a composed tone after his side’s 1-0 defeat to Djibouti in the second leg of the AFCON 2027 quallifiers  preliminary round on Sunday in Juba.

Speaking after the match, Hakim acknowledged Djibouti’s improved performance while keeping the focus firmly on qualification.

“Djibouti played a good game today, different from the first leg. First, we would like to recognise and congratulate Djibouti, and hard luck to the South Sudan team. But the main concern is the team’s progress to the next level.”

The decisive moment came in the 77th minute when formwr El Merriekh Bentiu striker Samuel Akinbinu netted the only goal of the match to hand Djibouti victory on the night.

Despite the result, South Sudan progressed with a 4-1 aggregate win, having done the hard work in the first leg.

Ranked among the 12 lowest teams at the time of the draw, the Bright Stars successfully navigated the preliminary hurdle and now advance to the group stage, joining 42 other nations under the banner of the Confederationof African Football (CAF).

For South Sudan, the mission was clear — to qualify — and that objective has been achieved, even if the final whistle in Juba told a different story on the night.