WORLD SOCCERSometimes Ashu Besong simply
chuckles. It is all he can do when
pondering his problems as coach of
South Sudan, the youngest country in
the world. At times, he is still
confounded by his new environment.
South Sudan doesn’t have a national
stadium and the national training
centre in the capitalJuba boasts the
only professional football field in the
whole country.
The “Bright Stars” play their home
fixtures in neighbouring Kenya. InNovember, they triumphed1-0
against regional heavyweights
Uganda, courtesy of a 36th-minute
penalty from striker Tito Okello, who
plays in Kenya for Gor Mahia. South
Sudan protected their lead to record
their first three points in the Africa
Cup of Nations qualifiers and maintain
a slim chance of reaching the finals in
Cameroon in 2022.
The result left Besong buoyant. The
majority of the team were under 25.
South Sudan’s population is young.SOUTH SUDANAfrica’s newest
international team
40 WORLD SOCCER
Samindra Kuntireports
eye
witness