Bright Stars dream beyond thrashing Djibouti
South Sudan now focuses on preparations for group stage duels after its triumph over Djibouti in the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations Round Qualifiers (AFCONQ).
The Bright Stars won all two of their home and away preliminary rounds for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and became eligible for the next group stages.
Despite this, the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) warned against complacency as it emphasised the need for preparations as the team waits for the draw.
But SSFA President, Gen. Augustino Maduot, said Tuesday that while it was a historic triumph and a special time for the South Sudanese, it was equally vital to remind all sports enthusiasts that the country still has a long way to go in terms of technical improvements before it can proceed to the next level.
“Now that we have advanced to the group stages, I would want to congratulate everyone who has contributed to our national team’s success from the beginning, especially in terms of logistics and financing the team,’’ he remarked.
However, he stated that now that the first step has been completed, there was a need for South Sudan’s football partners to come together and truly support the team and the federation to realise the dream of playing in AFCON 2023.
Early preparations
Gen. Maduot stressed that organising the team early enough would motivate the players as well as the technical teams to do their best for the country.
Among the plans that the SSFA boss mentioned were providing technical support to the team, financial support, and moral support, adding that these are the most needed to make the team ready for the next stages.
He urged the government and other sports partners in the country to provide the same level of support as they had in the preliminary rounds.
“The stage we are entering requires strong support from all of us, including those who have previously assisted us and those who will do so in the future, as well as our government. The team requires financial assistance, “he added.
Meanwhile, Bright Stars head coach Stefano Cusin stated that his goal is to continue creating a team that will have a regional and international effect.
“I am happy for the team, especially getting results against tough teams like the Djibouti side. The boys are good. It is important to see what South Sudan needs to win games,” he said.
He said the two wins were not by chance, but through the preparations, the national team had been preparing for the different friendly matches.
Cusin said there is a need for the same spirit from the association and the players to continue so that the team can do better in coming competitions.
Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, Gambia, and Sao Tomé are among the countries that have joined South Sudan in the group stages.
The six teams will be joining the other 42 highest-ranked teams that qualified directly for the group stage.
The high-ranked countries are Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, and DR Congo. That is according to the distribution of the teams in the two pots based on the available rankings on November 19, 2021.
Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Nigeria were in Pot 1, which has the highest rank.
Pot 2 includes Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, and DR Congo.
South Sudan will be drawn against any of these teams in the group stages that are expected to be out earlier next year.
