In a stunning display of skill, South Sudan defeated Djibouti 4-0 during their AFCON qualifying match held in Juba. This victory marks a significant milestone for South Sudan as they take a commanding lead in the preliminary round of the tournament.
The match saw Teng Kuol net the first goal in the 31st minute, setting the tone for South Sudan’s dominance. Kuol, a 23-year-old player from Marconi Stallions and brother of Socceroo Garang, has quickly made a name for himself, having previously played for Sydney Olympic.
Following Kuol’s opening goal, Bangasi Bakasoro, Peter Maker Manyang, and Majak added to the scoreline, solidifying South Sudan’s position as a formidable contender. With this win, South Sudan, currently ranked 168th in the world, is in a strong position for qualification.
“South Sudan dominated Djibouti with a 4-0 away win in the CAN 2027 qualifiers, taking a huge step toward the next round,” remarked sports journalist Sacha Pisani.
Djibouti now faces a daunting challenge as they prepare for the return leg, needing to overturn a 4-0 deficit. The pressure is on them to find a way to score quickly to unsettle their opponents in the upcoming match.
South Sudan’s victory not only boosts their confidence but also places them in a favorable position for advancing in the qualifiers. Observers are keen to see if they can maintain this momentum in the return leg.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any strategic changes Djibouti may implement to address their significant loss. The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday ET, and both teams will be looking to capitalize on this crucial match.