Wikipedia

South Sudan national football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see South Sudan women's national football team.
Not to be confused with Sudan national football team.

The South Sudan national football team represents South Sudan in international football and is controlled by the South Sudan Football Association, the governing body for football in South Sudan.

South Sudan
Nickname(s)Bright Stars[1]
AssociationSouth Sudan Football Association (SSFA)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coachNicolas Dupuis
CaptainJuma Genaro
Most capsPeter Chol (41)
Top scorerJames Moga
Tito Okello (6)
Home stadiumJuba National Stadium
FIFA codeSSD
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 170 Increase 2 (28 November 2024)[2]
Highest134 (November 2015)
Lowest205 (September 2013)
First international
 South Sudan 2–2 Uganda 
(Juba, South Sudan; 10 July 2012)
Biggest win
 South Sudan 6–0 Djibouti 
(Juba, South Sudan; 28 March 2017)
Biggest defeat
 Mozambique 5–0 South Sudan 
(Maputo, Mozambique; 18 May 2014)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances4 (first in 2012)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2015)

History

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Zoran Đorđević was appointed on 25 May 2011 to oversee the national team.[4] For their inaugural year the team was featured in a Storyville episode called Soccer Coach Zoran and his African Tigers. The national team's first international fixture was due to be against the Kenya national team on 10 July 2011 as part of the country's independence celebrations.[5][6] However, in the event the opposition was provided by Tusker of the Kenyan Premier League,[7] alongside the first international fixture of the national basketball team. The match was played at the Juba Stadium. South Sudan scored within ten minutes, but they later conceded three goals in a 3–1 defeat.[8] South Sudan was officially admitted as a CAF member on 10 February 2012, at the 34th CAF Ordinary General Assembly hosted in Libreville, Gabon.[9] South Sudan was admitted as a FIFA member on 25 May 2012 at the second session of the 62nd FIFA Congress hosted in Budapest, Hungary.[10][11]

On 10 July 2012, South Sudan competed in its first full international match, a friendly against Uganda in Juba.[12] The match ended in a 2–2 draw, with James Moga and Richard Justin Lado scoring for South Sudan. This match resulted in South Sudan entering the FIFA rankings at the start of August in 199th place.[12]

The South Sudanese took part in their first ever international football tournament when they took part in the 2012 CECAFA Cup in Uganda.[13][14] They were drawn in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Kenya, and hosts Uganda.[15] The national team played their first match against Ethiopia, losing 1–0 through a Yonathan Kebede goal. In their next match, they lost 2–0 against Kenya. Their final match saw them suffer a 4–0 loss to Uganda.[citation needed]

South Sudan entered its first major international tournament in 2014, taking part in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. As one of the four lowest ranked national teams in Africa, it entered in the preliminary stage and was scheduled to play against Eritrea, who withdrew, thus qualifying South Sudan for the first qualifying round.[16][17] There, they played Mozambique over two legs, losing 5–0 at the Estádio do Zimpeto in Maputo, but hosting a goalless draw in the second leg which was held at the Khartoum Stadium in Sudan due to the South Sudanese Civil War.[citation needed]

On 5 September 2015, South Sudan achieved their first official victory, a 1–0 home win against Equatorial Guinea in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. One month later South Sudan played their first ever match in FIFA World Cup Qualification, a 1–1 draw at home to Mauritania. South Sudan would lose both return matches 4–0.[citation needed]

During 2019 AFCON qualifying the Bright Stars achieved their record win, defeating Djibouti 6–0 in Juba, however they lost all seven of their other matches meaning they remained among the lowest ranked teams in Africa.[citation needed]

In October 2019, in the 2021 AFCON preliminary round, South Sudan won an away game for the first time, beating Seychelles 1–0 in Victoria to secure a 3–1 aggregate victory. This sees the Bright Stars advance to the qualifying group stage for the third consecutive edition.[citation needed]

South Sudan were invited by FIFA to take part in 2021 FIFA Arab Cup as the only non-Arab League nation. However, they forfeited the qualifiers after several players tested positive on COVID-19.[18]

Results and fixtures

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Main article: South Sudan national football team results

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

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22 March 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification São Tomé and Príncipe   1–1   South Sudan Berkane, Morocco
19:00 UTC±0
  • Leal   50'
 Report
Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium
Referee: Alhasan Bass (Gambia)
26 March 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Sudan   0–0
(1–1 agg.)		   São Tomé and Príncipe Berkane, Morocco
17:00 UTC±0 Report Stadium: Berkane Municipal Stadium
Referee: Keren Yocette (Seychelles)
Note: Draw 1–1 on aggregate; South Sudan won on away goals.
5 June 2026 World Cup qualification Togo   1–1   South Sudan Lomé, Togo
16:00 UTC±0
Report
Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Celso Alvação (Mozambique)
11 June 2026 World Cup qualification South Sudan   0–3   Sudan Juba, South Sudan
14:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Ahmad Heeralall (Mauritius)
5 September 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Congo   1–0   South Sudan Brazzaville, Congo
17:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Referee: Celso Armindo Alvação (Mozambique)
10 September 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Sudan   2–3   South Africa Juba, South Sudan
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Joseph Ogabor (Nigeria)
11 October 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Uganda   1–0   South Sudan Kampala, Uganda
19:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Attendance: 38,000
Referee: Kalilou Ibrahim Traoré (Ivory Coast)
15 October 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Sudan   1–2   Uganda Juba, South Sudan
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Ahmed Al Ghandour (Egypt)
27 October 2024 African Nations Championship qualification   South Sudan 2–0   Kenya Juba, South Sudan
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Juba Stadium
2 November 2024 African Nations Championship qualification   Kenya 1–1
(1–3 agg.)		   South Sudan Kampala, Uganda
16:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Mandela National Stadium
Note: South Sudan won 3–1 on aggregate.
14 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Sudan   3–2   Congo Juba, South Sudan
14:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Juba Stadium
Referee: Aklesso Gnama (Togo)
19 November 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification South Africa   3–0   South Sudan Cape Town, South Africa
14:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Cape Town Stadium
Referee: Adalbert Diouf (Senegal)

Coaches

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Caretaker managers are listed in italics.

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were called up for the 2025 AFCON qualification matches against Congo and South Africa on 14 and 19 November 2024.[19]

Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against South Africa.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Juma Genaro (1986-02-28) 28 February 1986 (age 38) 34 0   Al-Merrikh
1GK Dario Konyang (2004-06-26) 26 June 2004 (age 20) 0 0 Unknown
1GK Madut Nyuol Unknown 0 0 Unknown
1GK Godwill Yugusuk (1999-11-28) 28 November 1999 (age 25) 0 0   Kator
2DF Athir Thomas (1987-02-14) 14 February 1987 (age 37) 26 1   Al Merreikh
2DF Wani Ivan Adebo (1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 (age 25) 22 0   Bul
2DF Rashid Toha (1997-10-09) 9 October 1997 (age 27) 21 1   Arua Hill
2DF Atendele Geriga (1995-05-05) 5 May 1995 (age 29) 17 0   Arua Hill
2DF Samuel Taban (2002-10-29) 29 October 2002 (age 22) 16 0   Kator
2DF Rehan Angier (2002-01-01) 1 January 2002 (age 22) 8 0   Munuki
2DF Paul Puk Kun Pal (2000-02-12) 12 February 2000 (age 24) 6 0   Al Merreikh
2DF Benjamin Laku (2006-06-27) 27 June 2006 (age 18) 4 0   Jamus
2DF Emmanuel Maku (2006-10-20) 20 October 2006 (age 18) 1 0   Jamus
2DF David Djamas (2004-04-21) 21 April 2004 (age 20) 0 0   Achyronas
2DF Oman Mobil (2003-12-02) 2 December 2003 (age 21) 0 0   Al-Malakia
3MF Peter Chol (1994-10-23) 23 October 1994 (age 30) 41 4   Kator
3MF Joseph Malish (2002-07-27) 27 July 2002 (age 22) 19 0   Kator
3MF William Gama (2002-12-14) 14 December 2002 (age 21) 15 1   Al-Malakia
3MF Gaddafi Wahab (1995-12-11) 11 December 1995 (age 29) 6 0   NEC
3MF Mandela Malish (1999-10-10) 10 October 1999 (age 25) 4 0   Atlabara
3MF Omar Luate (2001-10-10) 10 October 2001 (age 23) 0 0   Jamus
3MF Nelson Victor (2002-09-30) 30 September 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Unknown
4FW Tito Okello (1996-01-07) 7 January 1996 (age 28) 25 6   PSM Makassar
4FW Valentino Yuel (1994-10-12) 12 October 1994 (age 30) 21 3   Nasaf
4FW Data Elly (1999-05-02) 2 May 1999 (age 25) 10 1   Onduparaka
4FW Paul Jawa (2004-07-15) 15 July 2004 (age 20) 10 0   Rainbow
4FW Yohanna Paulino (1999-10-06) 6 October 1999 (age 25) 3 1   Jamus
4FW Ebon Malish (2004-03-23) 23 March 2004 (age 20) 2 2   Jamus
4FW Ronald Innocent (2002-03-28) 28 March 2002 (age 22) 0 0   Lucera Calcio
4FW Emmanuel Jowang (2002-08-29) 29 August 2002 (age 22) 0 0   Al-Malakia
4FW Tito Lukciir (2004-10-22) 22 October 2004 (age 20) 0 0   Simba
4FW Tot Maet Unknown 0 0 Unknown
4FW Ayom Majok (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Unattached
4FW Patrick Oleyo (2005-08-05) 5 August 2005 (age 19) 0 0   Viva Star

Recent call ups

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Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Majak Mawith (1999-09-18) 18 September 1999 (age 25) 21 0   Dandenong Thunder v.   Uganda; 15 October 2024
GK Nicolas Madeng (1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 (age 26) 0 0 Unknown v.   Uganda; 15 October 2024
GK Ramadan John (2000-03-17) 17 March 2000 (age 24) 14 0   Al-Malakia v.   São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024
DF Loki Emmanuel (2001-11-14) 14 November 2001 (age 23) 20 1   Bright Stars v.   Uganda; 15 October 2024
DF Rashid Okocha (1993-12-10) 10 December 1993 (age 31) 4 0   NEC v.   Uganda; 15 October 2024
DF Peter Maker (1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 (age 30) 33 0   Radnički S. Mitrovica v.   South Africa; 10 September 2024
DF Omot Sebit (1998-10-09) 9 October 1998 (age 26) 12 0   Alamal Atbara v.   São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024
MF Charles Ouma (1999-06-02) 2 June 1999 (age 25) 3 0   Kenya Police v.   Uganda; 15 October 2024
MF Joseph Dhata (2002-09-05) 5 September 2002 (age 22) 12 1   Express v.   South Africa; 10 September 2024
MF Nevello Yoseke (1996-03-17) 17 March 1996 (age 28) 5 0   Monterey Bay v.   South Africa; 10 September 2024
MF Jackson Morgan (1998-08-18) 18 August 1998 (age 26) 18 0   Bentleigh Greens v.   Sudan; 11 June 2024
MF Manyumow Achol (2000-12-10) 10 December 2000 (age 24) 12 0   Septemvri Sofia v.   Togo; 5 June 2024PRE
MF Asad Musa (1995-08-06) 6 August 1995 (age 29) 11 0   Leopards v.   São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024
MF Kenyi Wani (2004-03-26) 26 March 2004 (age 20) 6 0   Al-Malakia v.   São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024
FW David Majak (2000-10-10) 10 October 2000 (age 24) 11 0   Tusker v.   Uganda; 15 October 2024
FW Alfred Leku (1997-09-16) 16 September 1997 (age 27) 3 0   Kenya Police v.   Uganda; 15 October 2024
FW Madit Mayor (2001-02-02) 2 February 2001 (age 23) 1 0   Atlabara v.   Uganda; 15 October 2024
FW Francis Onekalit (1996-08-18) 18 August 1996 (age 28) 3 0   Villa v.   Uganda; 15 October 2024
FW Machop Chol (1998-11-14) 14 November 1998 (age 26) 6 0   San Antonio FC v.   Sudan; 11 June 2024
FW Lazarus Peter Laku (2008-05-29) 29 May 2008 (age 16) 0 0   Future Stars v.   Sudan; 11 June 2024
FW Ajak Riak (2000-12-12) 12 December 2000 (age 23) 10 0   Sheriff Tiraspol v.   São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024
FW Martin Sawi (1999-09-16) 16 September 1999 (age 25) 3 0   Pyeongchang United v.   São Tomé and Príncipe; 26 March 2024

Player records

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As of 19 November 2024[20]
Players in bold are still active with South Sudan.

Most appearances

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Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Peter Chol 41 4 2015–present
2 Juma Genaro 34 0 2012–present
3 Peter Maker 33 0 2018–present
4 Dominic Abui Pretino 30 4 2013–2021
5 Leon Uso Khamis 29 3 2012–2022
6 Athir Thomas[a] 26 1 2012–present
7 Tito Okello 25 6 2020–present
8 Wani Ivan Adebo 22 0 2020–present
9 Majak Mawith 21 0 2019–present
Rashid Toha 21 1 2021–present
Valentino Yuel 21 3 2022–present

Top goalscorers

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James Moga is South Sudan's joint top scorer with 6 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 James Moga[b] 6 18 0.33 2012–2017
Tito Okello 6 25 0.22 2020–present
3 Joseph Kuch Nyuar 4 8 0.5 2017–2019
Dominic Abui Pretino 4 30 0.13 2013–2021
Peter Chol 4 41 0.1 2015–present
6 Sebit Bruno 3 10 0.3 2015–2016
Atak Lual 3 13 0.23 2014–2018
Valentino Yuel 3 21 0.14 2022–present
Leon Uso Khamis 3 29 0.1 2012–2022
10 Ebon Ezibon 2 2 1 2024–present
Richard Justin Lado[c] 2 8 0.25 2012–2017
Wurube Robert Lopidia 2 10 0.2 2016–2018

Notes:

  1. ^ Athir Thomas also appeared in 4 matches for Sudan
  2. ^ James Moga also appeared in 26 matches for Sudan, scoring 6 goals
  3. ^ Richard Lado also appeared in 78 matches for Sudan, scoring 7 goals

Competitive record

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1938 Part of   United Kingdom Part of   United Kingdom
1950 to 2010 Part of   Sudan Part of   Sudan
  2014 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
  2018 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 5
  2022 2 0 1 1 1 2
      2026 To be determined 4 0 2 2 1 8
      2030 To be determined
  2034
Total 0/2 8 0 4 4 3 15

Africa Cup of Nations

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Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1957 Part of   Sudan Part of   Sudan
  1959
  1962
  1963
  1965
  1968
  1970
  1974
  1976
  1978
  1980
  1982
  1984
  1986
  1988
  1990
  1992
  1994
  1996
  1998
    2000
  2002
  2004
  2006
  2008
  2010
    2012 Did not enter Did not enter
  2013
  2015 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 5
  2017 6 1 0 5 3 15
  2019 8 1 0 7 8 20
  2021 8 3 0 5 5 7
  2023 8 3 0 5 10 15
  2025
      2027 To be determined To be determined
  2029
Total 0/34 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 8 1 23 26 62

African Nations Championship

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African Nations Championship record
Appearances: 0
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  2009 Part of   Sudan
  2011
  2014 Did not qualify
  2016
  2018
  2020
  2022
Total – 0/7 – – – – – –

CECAFA Cup

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CECAFA Cup record
Appearances: 4
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
  1973 to   2010 Part of   Sudan
  2011 Did not enter
  2012 Group stage 11th 3 0 0 3 0 7
  2013 Group stage 10th 3 0 0 3 2 7
  2015 Quarter-finals 6th 4 2 2 0 4 0
  2017 Group stage 9th 3 0 1 2 1 8
  2019 Did not enter
Total Quarter-finals 4/40 13 2 3 8 7 22

FIFA Arab Cup

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FIFA Arab Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
  1963 to 20091 Part of   Sudan Part of   Sudan
  2012 Not invited Not invited
  2021 Did not qualify 0[note 1] 0 0 1 0 3
Total 0/9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3

^1 The 2009 edition was cancelled during qualification.

Head-to-head record

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Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD WPCT
  Benin 2 0 0 2 2 6 −4 0.00
  Botswana 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0.00
  Burkina Faso 2 0 0 2 1 3 −2 0.00
  Burundi 3 0 1 2 2 8 −6 0.00
  Congo 4 2 0 2 5 5 0 50.00
  Djibouti 5 4 0 1 13 4 +9 80.00
  Egypt 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0.00
  Equatorial Guinea 4 1 1 2 2 6 −4 25.00
  Ethiopia 3 0 0 3 0 6 −6 0.00
  Gabon 2 0 0 2 0 4 −4 0.00
  Gambia 3 0 0 3 3 6 −3 0.00
  Jordan 2 0 0 2 1 5 −4 0.00
  Kenya 5 1 0 4 2 8 −6 20.00
  Mali 6 0 0 6 1 18 −17 0.00
  Malawi 3 1 0 2 2 2 0 33.33
  Mauritania 3 0 2 1 1 5 −4 0.00
  Mozambique 2 0 1 1 0 5 −5 0.00
  Senegal 1 0 0 1 0 4 −4 0.00
  Seychelles 2 2 0 0 3 1 +2 100.00
  Sierra Leone 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0.00
  South Africa 2 0 0 2 2 6 −4 0.00
  Sudan 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0.00
  Uganda 8 1 1 6 6 20 −14 12.50
  Uzbekistan 1 0 0 1 0 3 −3 0.00
  Zanzibar 1 0 0 1 1 2 −1 0.00
Total 69 12 9 48 48 134 −86 17.39
Source: Results

Dual-internationals

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The following South Sudanese international footballers have also played for Sudan national football team before the country's independence:

Notes & references

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Notes

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  1. ^ The qualification match against Jordan was awarded to her due to a forfeit from South Sudan as multiple players and staff had positive COVID-19 test results upon their arrival in the qualifications hosts Qatar.

References

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  1. ^ "BBC Storyville 2014 Soccer Coach Zoran and his African Tigers". YouTube. 18 December 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  2. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  4. ^ Jacobs, Sean (25 May 2011). "Zoran and his African Tigers". Africas Country. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  5. ^ "The Birth of the Republic of South Sudan". Archived from the original (DOC) on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  6. ^ Martell, Peter (6 July 2011). "World's Newest Nation Set to Step Into Sporting Arena". Jakarta Globe. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  7. ^ Rice, Xan (10 July 2011). "South Sudan marks statehood with football match". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  8. ^ "Independent South Sudan play first football match". Kickoff.com. 11 July 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  9. ^ South Sudan admitted as a member of CAF Archived 31 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine, SuperSport.com, Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  10. ^ "FIFA Congress fully backs reform process, appoints first woman to Executive; welcomes South Sudan as 209th FIFA member". FIFA Congress. 25 May 2012. Archived from the original on 27 May 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  11. ^ Mensah, Kent (27 May 2012). "South Sudan become Fifa's 209th member". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  12. ^ a b "South Sudan enter FIFA rankings". Reuters. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  13. ^ South Sudan set for international debuts at Cecafa cups Archived 11 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine BBC. Retrieved 12 November 2012
  14. ^ World newest state set for CECAFA début Archived 5 July 2013 at the Wayback Machine Futaa.com. Retrieved 12 November 2012
  15. ^ Ethiopia get tough draw for 2012 Cecafa Challenge Cup Archived 28 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine BBC. Retrieved 12 November 2012
  16. ^ "Eritrea withdraws from Nations Cup Qualification". Reuters.com. 30 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Eritrea withdraws from Can 2015". Cafonline.com. 30 March 2014. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  18. ^ "FIFA Arab Cup 2021 qualification match between Jordan and South Sudan forfeited". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 21 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Final Squad". Twitter. South Sudan Football Association. 8 November 2024.
  20. ^ "South Sudan". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
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