South Sudan’s national football team is ready to face Uganda in a highly anticipated “East African derby” on Tuesday, according to head coach Nicolas Dupuis. The match, a crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier, will be held at Juba National Stadium. Dupuis expressed his confidence in his squad’s ability to rise to the challenge, despite a number of injury concerns within the team.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Dupuis acknowledged the significance of the encounter, both for the team and the nation. “My players understand the importance of this East African derby, and they are ready for the battle,” said the coach.
He admitted that the team was dealing with several injuries, but remained optimistic about the match.
We are focusing on putting forward our best performance, and we ask for strong support from our fans as we go head-to-head with Uganda.”
Tuesday’s game holds particular weight for South Sudan, not only as a crucial AFCON qualifier but also as preparation for their upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against Kenya later this month.
Dupuis is keen on using these matches to build the team’s cohesion and develop the players further, especially with more challenges ahead.
I am focusing on raising the level of my players for the upcoming games, particularly with Kenya in the AFCON qualifiers,” he explained.
The head coach urged South Sudanese fans to rally behind their team, emphasizing the critical role that home support can play in boosting morale.
Our fans are crucial. I’m asking them to back the players as they fight for victory against Uganda tomorrow,” Dupuis said, calling for a united show of support from the stands.
Team captain Juma Jenaro echoed the sentiments of his coach, expressing the players’ determination to secure a positive result.
We are ready for the match, and we will do everything possible to win,” said Jenaro.
The captain is aware of the stakes but remains confident that his teammates can deliver a solid performance when it matters most.
South Sudan’s encounter with Uganda is expected to be a fierce contest, as the two nations have a long-standing football rivalry.
The match will also serve as a key moment for South Sudan to assess their progress under the guidance of Dupuis, who has been instrumental in improving the squad’s competitiveness in recent months.
Fans in Juba are eagerly anticipating the clash, hoping that their team can pull off a memorable victory against their East African neighbors.
South Sudan has shown promising signs of development in recent years, and Tuesday’s fixture will be an opportunity to demonstrate how far they have come on the international stage.
