South Sudan Cup: Amarat United thrashes Bentiu Olympic 3-1 in opener

Juba’s Amarat United FC thrashed Bentiu’s Champions Olympic 3-1 in the 2021/22 South Sudan Cup’s opening match at Buluk Training Centre.

In the 21st minute, Amarat United took the lead after a Bentiu Olympic defender scored an own goal.

The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Juba champions as several attempts from the Bentiu Olympics boys could not yield any results.

The Skype craps took advantage of Bentiu Olympics’ ineffective defenders on the counter-attack, as their striker, Omer Luate, finished superbly. His goal came in the 56^th minute after Bentiu Olympic was seriously pressing for an equaliser.

Biko James Bage slew the game in the 64^th minute with his weeping header, which left the Olympic goalkeeper helpless but with regret.

The Bentiu Olympic boys got their consolation goal in the 78^th minute through their winger, Lam Gatded. His goal was counted as the goal of the match.

Bentiu Olympic FC can now wait for the return game to overturn the 3-1 result in order to reach the next level.

Elsewhere in Zone One, the Champions of Wau Local Football Association, Al Hilal Wau, started their competition perfectly with a 3-2 win over Aweil’s giants, Black Eagle.

Nine teams currently from different local football associations are in Juba, participating in the South Sudan Cup 2021/2022 in Zone Two.

The 2021/2022 South Sudan Cup was graced by senior national and state government officials led by youth and sports ministers and other dignitaries, including the diplomatic corps.

The launch was attended by players from all nine of the teams that will be participating in the competition.

This year’s South Sudan Cup was launched under the team “Football for Peace and Unity for National Pride.”

Speaking during the opening ceremony at Buluk Training Centre yesterday, Charles Udwar, the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) Vice President, described football as a bridge for unity, calling on the players to take it as a unifying factor as they continue with the competition.

“If we are united, we will be proud as citizens of this country. Football is a bridge of unity, as exactly what the theme of the competition tells us.”

“We want to develop football in the country, and to develop football in the country means all of us need to participate,” he added.

He urges the government, both at national and state levels, to embark on the development of football in the country.