In a significant development for African football, South Sudan defeated Djibouti 4-0 in the first leg of their Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round clash on October 10, 2023. The match took place at the Juba National Stadium, marking a crucial step for South Sudan in their quest for qualification.
The scoring opened in the 31st minute when Teng Kuol found the back of the net, setting the tone for the match. Justin Bangasi doubled the lead shortly after halftime in the 49th minute, followed by Peter Manyang scoring the third goal in the 66th minute. Keer Majak capped off the impressive performance with the fourth goal in the 81st minute, contributing significantly with one goal and two assists.
This victory places South Sudan in a strong position as they aim to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The return leg will also be played in Juba, where Djibouti faces a significant challenge to overturn the deficit.
Historically, Djibouti has struggled against South Sudan, losing four of their last five encounters. This match is part of the qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027, highlighting the importance of the upcoming matches for both teams.
South Sudan’s football authorities have prioritized qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, making this victory a vital part of their strategy. As the teams prepare for the return leg, the pressure will be on Djibouti to improve their performance and seek redemption.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific date for the return leg, but the anticipation is building as both teams look to solidify their positions in the tournament.