Mayen’s wife Aluel ‘Messi’ returns to football after last year’s odds

Aluel Garang, commonly known as Aluel Messi, has officially resumed her football career after an almost one-year hiatus following an interference into her career by her husband Peter Mayen.

In April last year, while playing for Aweil Women against Juba Super Stars at Aweil Freedom Square, Aluel’s husband, Peter Mayen Majongdit, who is also the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, called a halt to the match and ordered his wife off the field.

His actions were later criticized by football fans, including the country’s football governing body, the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA), for disrupting a National Women’s League game.

Since that time, Aluel has not worn her play boots due to her husband’s interference.

On Monday, Aluel Messi featured for Mayardit Heroes FC of Kuajok against Nile City FC of Yambio in 2021/2022 Women’s South Sudan Cup, which shows them existing in the competition with one-nil to Western Equatoria ladies.

Speaking shortly after the match at Buluk playground, Aluel said she was happy to be back and playing football again.

Although they were eliminated from the tournament, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return to the game for ninety minutes after such a long absence.

“Yes, we played well, but luck wasn’t on our side. As footballers, it’s always understandable, especially in tournaments, where one must always go through. We are out but most importantly, particularly for me, is that I am happy to be back and play football again,” the former Bright Starlet star said.

“What I can tell my fans is that all that has happened is now gone, I am officially back. Today, playing in this crowd was something great, I still love playing football.”

When asked whether her husband wouldn’t interfere with her career again, she said no one should expect the incident to happen again, saying things are going quite well between her and her husband.

“Of course, I am Aluel Peter Mayen, and he remains my husband. No matter what has happened, such things may happen but when you come together again, you expect better understanding.”

Although Mayen has not issued an official statement on last year’s incident, some social media outlets stated that the minister was upset with his wife for leaving their three-month-old baby at home and joining her teammates for the game.

According to reliable sources, the minister not only disrupted the game but also fired a bullet into the hair to disperse the crowd, drawing condemnation from the SSFA.

“The Administration of the South Sudan Football Association would like to express its disappointment over the impropriety act applied by the National Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Peter Mayen Majondit, disrupted the official football match in Aweil Town demanding the removal of his wife, Aluel Garang, known as Aluel Messi, from the field of play.

“Therefore, we condemn such a transgression by a popular and responsible person serving in a higher position in the government. The SSFA Administration will continue to stand firm and work with the government to ensure that our women have the opportunity to play and exercise their talents freely and confidently. Promotion, development, and full participation of women is one of the objectives of SSFA, ” the SSFA statement reads last year.