ANALYSIS: South Sudan’s AFCON win propels Uganda, South Africa to Morocco

Creator: Michael Daniel | Printed: November 15, 2024

South Sudan gamers have a good time victory in opposition to Congo Brazzaville. (Picture: SSFA).

South Sudan’s conflict with Congo Brazzaville was keenly watched elsewhere and the Brilliant Stars’ 3-2 win in a misplaced trigger – was met with jubilation in Uganda and South Africa whose nationwide groups mechanically certified to the AFCON 2025.

Internet hosting the Purple Devils at Juba Nationwide Stadium for the second leg, South Sudan claimed their first AFCON 2025 qualifiers victory after a shambolic marketing campaign which noticed them lose all earlier 4 video games.

The victory means nothing to the Brilliant Stars who’re backside of Group Okay with 3 factors and -3 targets with just one recreation left, whereas Congo Brazzaville who have been additionally eradicated have 4 factors and -7 targets.

However former Jamus FC Coach George Michael described the victory as historic, including it might have been embarrassing to complete the qualification and not using a level.

“The nationwide group yesterday gave everybody, gamers, directors and coaches, an awesome incentive as a result of it enabled us to get the primary three factors. With out it, we’d have been eradicated from the qualifiers with out getting any factors,” he mentioned in an interview with Eye Radio.

Mr. Michael mentioned regardless of the win, the nationwide group should overview its efficiency and work on bettering the protection line and establishing a singular type of enjoying in order that the gamers get used to it.

“Because the victory over Kenya within the African Championship for native gamers, the efficiency of the nationwide group has improved however there may be an pressing want for a playmaker and a few new blood from the remainder of the states.”

South Sudan’s victory dashed Congo’s hopes, as a win for Congo would have stored them in competition with 7 factors, probably difficult Uganda or South Africa.

Uganda lead the group with 10 factors and will prolong this to 13 factors with a win within the upcoming match in opposition to South Africa who’re second with 8 factors, may prime the group with 11 factors in the event that they win.

A draw would keep the present standings till the ultimate spherical on November 19. Within the decisive sixth spherical, South Sudan will face South Africa in Pretoria, and Uganda will tackle Congo in Brazzaville to find out the group’s first and second positions.

South Sudan’s efficiency follows its victory over Kenya within the CHAN qualifiers, overcoming earlier disappointments in opposition to Sudan in World Cup qualification, South Africa, and Uganda in AFCON 2025.

With the fifth spherical concluding, early AFCON 2025 qualifiers embody Egypt, Gabon, Algeria, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Africa and hosts Morocco.