SSFA candidates risk missing out on the presidential race

Even with flashy billboards decorating the streets of Juba, and the posters stuck on various electric poles and walls; the contenders of the South Sudan Football Association presidency face a tumultuous race against time to compete in the coming election.

The City Review has established that no candidate has submitted his credential or application for consideration as candidate for the position though the gate closes this weekend.

May 30, 2021 will be the last date for the interim committee tasked with running day-to-day SSFA general election process will be receiving the credentials of candidates.

The SSFA Secretary-General, Victor Lawrence Lual, on Thursday last week, said the interim committee would not condone any credential dropped after the close of business by Monday, May 31.

“You know we have general election coming. The timetable for general election is out and it is already published on the social media. The date for submission (credentials) started on 17 (of May) and the date set by the interim committee for election is July 22,”

“Up to now we did not receive any document from the candidates. We just hear from outside that people are contesting and I cannot tell how many they are.”

Yet to come out

According to Mr Lawrence, there were about six candidates aspiring for the same position including the incumbent SSFA President Francis Amin, but none has publically declared his candidature except Lual Maluth Lual.

Mr Lual, who is a former international football referee, declared his candidature in late April, promising to challenge his rivals in the July 22 general election.

‘‘I expect the rest of the candidates to declare their candidature later, but I am aware of the people interested [in running] for SSFA presidency especially, Yohanis Musa Pouk Nyundeng, Peter Achuil, Gen. Agustino, Francis, the incumbent president and myself,” said Lual, when he launched his campaign in April this year.

He also told his supporters that he would fight corruption and work to ensure South Sudan football national team meets the international standards.

Mr. Amin whose term in office expired on May 17, 2021, will be expected to seek second term in the general election in July.

South Sudan football industry has been faced with challenges, among them poor and inadequate infrastructure and financial constraints, retarding football development.

The country’s main football stadium reconstruction, a nine months project that began in 2019, is yet to be accomplished. It has collapsed twice, delaying its completion on time.

“We need sponsors to sponsor our activities like the construction of a football stadium,” Lawrence said during an interview with the City Review in his office in Jebel on Thursday.