Sudan’s head coach, James Kwesi Appiah, expressed his admiration for the remarkable progress in South Sudanese football following their 2026 World Cup qualifier clash.
Sudan secured a victory in the intense derby match held in March 2024 at Juba Sports Stadium during the fourth round of the qualifiers.
Appiah praised South Sudan’s head coach, Nicolas Dupuis, highlighting his professional approach and the impressive strides the team has made. “Nicolas Dupuis is a true professional, and his work with South Sudan is nothing short of remarkable,” Appiah said.
Reflecting on the match, Appiah acknowledged that the final score didn’t fully capture the competitiveness of the game.
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“From a sporting standpoint, I have to admit I was surprised by the level of our opponents during this match. The final score doesn’t fully tell the story of the game. We experienced an unforgettable moment,” he added. He also lauded the electrifying atmosphere in South Sudan’s new stadium, noting, “The atmosphere in their new stadium was simply magical, and everything went well. That’s the power of football and its ability to bring people together.”
In the CAF Group B standings for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Sudan leads with 10 points from 4 matches (3 wins, 1 draw), followed closely by Senegal with 8 points (2 wins, 2 draws).
DR Congo is third with 7 points (2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss), while Togo, South Sudan, and Mauritania trail with 3, 2, and 1 point, respectively. The group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, while the runner-up may enter playoffs.
