South Sudan have named their final squad that will feature in the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
The competition which will bring together 12 teams will take place from February 19th to March 11th in Egypt.
The South Sudan team that will be making its maiden appearance in the competition is pooled alongside CECAFA champions Uganda, The Central African Republic and Congo Brazzaville.
Stefano Cusin, the South Sudan senior national team head coach who will be in-charge of a U-20 team, has named a 26-man team that will travel on Monday to Egypt to camp and also play some friendly matches.
“We picked the best team after training for the past few weeks. We shall go and camp in Egypt and also play some build-up matches,” said Cusin.
Speaking about the competition, Cusin said they must treat every match like a final because the bigger target is qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. “We must treat every match like a final. It is our first time in the competition, but we must be motivated to perform well,” added Cusin.
South Sudan qualified for the AFCON U-20 competition after finishing second to Uganda when they lost 2-1 in the Zonal CECAFA final played in Khartoum, Sudan last November.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) Victor Lawrence Lual has confirmed that the South Sudan U-20 team will face the Egypt U-20 team in an international friendly match on February 10th in Cairo and later play The Gambia’s U-20 team.
The tournament in Egypt will also double as the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2023 to be held in Indonesia. The top four teams will qualify for the World Cup.
South Sudan squad
Goalkeepers: Godwill Yogusuku Simon Sabio, Dairo Kongyang Salah Diyo, Mayen Mayen Thon Aojak
Defenders: Bul James Madit Anyang, Tuyian Chuol Baang Juoch, Emmanuel Sebit Alison Loboka, Atiki Rahuman Kenyi, Daniel Bichiok John Deng, Mabior Rubben, George Juma
Midfielder: Silver Mador Adhik Mabok, Thomas Muyuci Feni Ogaman, Joseph Loro Marko Jele, Ochaya Okot Oywak Otim, Tito Lukciir Madul Mayor, Mading Willison, Nickson Safaino, Kennedy Juma Taban Martin, Kenyi Shadrack Elisama Wani, Norman Eluzai Brown, Guet Guet Douth
Striker: Paul Jawa Amerika, Peter Santos Aparer Chut, Abishai Agumemboki Felix, Ezborn Malish
