Sumaya Malili Reflects on Pressure as Bright Starlets Exit Olympic Qualifiers in Stoppage Time

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South Sudan women’s national team captain Sumaya Malili admitted she fell short of her usual standards after the Bright Starlets were eliminated from the CAF Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Qualifiers following a 1-0 stoppage-time defeat at Juba National Stadium.

Speaking after the match, Sumaya acknowledged the pressure of the occasion affected her performance in a tightly contested return-leg encounter.

“I really felt I didn’t give my best like I always do. I thought a lot about this game, I really wanted to win. I think there was a little bit of pressure, thinking about how to push the team, and that might have made me not give my best,” she said.

The late goal in stoppage time ended South Sudan’s qualification hopes, sealing a painful exit from the tournament despite a resilient team performance throughout the match.

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