2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Only 15 players travelled to South Africa because tickets were expensive – South Sudan coach

South Sudan head coach Nicholas Dupuis has explained that his team traveled with just 15 players for their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa due to the high cost of flight tickets.

Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has been one of the world’s poorest nations, still grappling with the aftermath of years of conflict.

The team was defeated 3-0 by South Africa at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday.

“We are very proud to play such a good team, a very good team. I want to congratulate South Africa for qualifying for the AFCON,” Dupuis said before the game.

“We are here with only 14-15 players because the tickets were expensive, but we are here, we are fighters.

“My players have a good spirit, and we are going to do our best.

Both teams knew their fates heading into the match. Bafana Bafana had already secured their qualification last Friday with an impressive 2-0 win over Uganda in Kampala.

South Sudan, despite their 3-2 victory over Congo on matchday five — their first win of the qualifiers — will not be heading to AFCON 2025.

South Africa topped the group with 14 points, while South Sudan finished at the bottom with just three.