South Sudan national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | Bright Stars | ||
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Association | South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) | ||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
Sub-confederation | CECAFA (East & Central Africa) | ||
Head coach | Nicolas Dupuis | ||
Captain | Peter Maker | ||
Most caps | Peter Chol (34) | ||
Top scorer | James Moga (6) | ||
Home stadium | Juba National Stadium | ||
FIFA code | SSD | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 164 (7 February 2019) | ||
Highest | 134 (November 2015) | ||
Lowest | 205 (September 2013) | ||
Elo ranking | |||
Current | 188 4 (3 March 2019) | ||
Highest | 171 (2016) | ||
Lowest | 188 (November 2018) | ||
First international | |||
South Sudan 2–2 Uganda (Juba, South Sudan; 10 July 2012) |
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Biggest win | |||
South Sudan 6–0 Djibouti (Juba, South Sudan; 28 March 2017) |
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Biggest defeat | |||
Mozambique 5–0 South Sudan (Maputo, Mozambique; 18 May 2014) |
The South Sudan national football team represents South Sudan in international football and is controlled by the South Sudan Football Association, the governing body for football in South Sudan.
Contents
History
Zoran Đorđević was appointed on 25 May 2011 to oversee the national team. For their inaugural year the team was featured in a Storyville episode called Soccer Coach Zoran and his African Tigers. The national team's first international fixture was due to be against the Kenya national team on 10 July 2011 as part of the country's independence celebrations. However, in the event the opposition was provided by Tusker of the Kenyan Premier League, alongside the first international fixture of the national basketball team. The match was played at the Juba Stadium. South Sudan scored within ten minutes, but they later conceded three goals in a 3–1 defeat. South Sudan was officially admitted as a CAF member on 10 February 2012, at the 34th CAF Ordinary General Assembly hosted in Libreville, Gabon. South Sudan was admitted as a FIFA member on 25 May 2012 at the second session of the 62nd FIFA Congress hosted in Budapest, Hungary.
On 10 July 2012, South Sudan competed in its first full international match, a friendly against Uganda in Juba. The match ended in a 2–2 draw, with James Moga and Richard Justin Lado scoring for South Sudan. This match resulted in South Sudan entering the FIFA rankings at the start of August in 199th place.
The South Sudanese took part in their first ever international football tournament when they took part in the 2012 CECAFA Cup in Uganda. They were drawn in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Kenya, and hosts Uganda. The national team played their first match against Ethiopia, losing 1–0 through a Yonathan Kebede goal. In their next match, they lost 2–0 against Kenya. Their final match saw them suffer a 4–0 loss to Uganda.
South Sudan entered its first major international tournament in 2014, taking part in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. As one of the four lowest ranked national teams in Africa, it entered in the preliminary stage and was scheduled to play against Eritrea, who withdrew, thus qualifying South Sudan for the first qualifying round. There, they played Mozambique over two legs, losing 5–0 at the Estádio do Zimpeto in Maputo, but hosting a goalless draw in the second leg which was held at the Khartoum Stadium in Sudan due to the South Sudanese Civil War.
On 5 September 2015, South Sudan achieved their first official victory, a 1–0 home win against Equatorial Guinea in 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. One month later South Sudan played their first ever match in FIFA World Cup Qualification, a 1–1 draw at home to Mauritania. South Sudan would lose both return matches 4–0.
During 2019 AFCON qualifying the Bright Stars achieved their record win, defeating Djibouti 6–0 in Juba, however they lost all seven of their other matches meaning they remained among the lowest ranked teams in Africa.
In October 2019, in the 2021 AFCON preliminary round, South Sudan won an away game for the first time, beating Seychelles 1–0 in Victoria to secure a 3–1 aggregate victory. This sees the Bright Stars advance to the qualifying group stage for the third consecutive edition.
South Sudan were invited by FIFA to take part in 2021 FIFA Arab Cup as the only non-Arab League nation. However, they forfeited the qualifiers after several players tested positive on COVID-19.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
2023 AFCON qualification 27 March | South Sudan | 0–1 | Congo | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | ||
16:00 UTC+3 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/03/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/south-sudan/congo/3783039/ | Stadium: National Stadium Referee: Joseph Odey Ogabor (Nigeria) |
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2023 AFCON qualification 14 June | South Sudan | 2–3 | Gambia | Ismailia, Egypt | ||
--:-- UTC+2 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/06/00/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/south-sudan/gambia/3783041/ | Stadium: Suez Canal Stadium |
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Friendly 18 June | Egypt | 3–0 | South Sudan | Cairo, Egypt | ||
20:00 UTC+2 | M.Fathi 19' Kahraba 45' Trézéguet 72' |
https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/06/18/world/friendlies/egypt/south-sudan/4078627/ | Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Referee: Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait) |
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2023 AFCON qualification 8 September | Mali | 4–0 | South Sudan | Bamako, Mali | ||
19:00 UTC±0 | https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/08/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/mali/south-sudan/3783043/ | Stadium: Stade du 26 Mars Referee: Mehrez Melki (Tunisia) |
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Friendly 12 September | Kenya | 0–1 | South Sudan | Nairobi, Kenya | ||
https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/12/world/friendlies/kenya/south-sudan/4233619/ | Stadium: Moi International Sports Centre Referee: Abdoul Karim Twagirumukiza (Rwanda) |
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2026 World Cup qualification 18 November | Senegal | 4–0 | South Sudan | Diamniadio, Senegal | ||
19:00 UTC±0 | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017585 | Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium Referee: Retselisitsoe David Molise (Lesotho) |
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2026 World Cup qualification 21 November | South Sudan | 0–0 | Mauritania | Diamniadio, Senegal | ||
16:00 UTC±0 | https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017586 | Stadium: Diamniadio Olympic Stadium Referee: Patrice Milazare (Mauritius) |
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2024
2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 22 March | São Tomé and Príncipe | 1–1 | South Sudan | |||
2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification 26 March | South Sudan | 0–0 | São Tomé and Príncipe | |||
Coaches
- Caretaker managers are listed in italics.
- Stephen Constantine (2009–2011)
- Malesh Soro (2011–2012)
- Ismail Balanga (2012)
- Zoran Đorđević (2012–2013)
- Ismail Balanga (2013–2014)
- Salyi Lolaku Samuel (2014)
- Lee Sung-jea (2014–2015)
- Leo Adraa (2015–2016)
- Joseph Malesh (2016)
- Elya Wako (2017)
- Bilal Felix Komoyangi (2017–2018)
- Ahcene Aït-Abdelmalek (2018)
- Ramsey Sebit (2018)
- Cyprian Besong Ashu (2019–2021)
- Stefano Cusin (2021–2023)
- Deng Aleer (2023)
- Nicolas Dupuis (2023-present)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Gambia on 14 June and the friendly against Egypt on 18 June 2023.
Caps and goals correct as of 18 June 2023, after the match against Egypt.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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GK | Ramadan John | 17 March 2000 | 14 | 0 | Al-Malakia | |
GK | Khamis Daniel | 8 January 1986 | 9 | 0 | Free agent | |
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DF | Peter Maker | 1 January 1994 | 25 | 0 | Radnički S. Mitrovica | |
DF | Rashid Toha | 9 October 1997 | 13 | 1 | Arua Hill | |
DF | David Omot Sebit | 9 October 1998 | 10 | 0 | Alamal Atbara | |
DF | Rehan Angier | 1 January 2002 | 8 | 0 | Munuki | |
DF | Geriga Atendele | 5 May 1995 | 8 | 0 | Arua Hill | |
DF | Samuel Taban | 29 October 2002 | 6 | 0 | Kator | |
DF | Joseph Dhata | 5 September 2002 | 4 | 0 | Express | |
DF | John Joh | 9 November 1999 | 4 | 0 | Wazito | |
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MF | Peter Chol | 23 October 1994 | 29 | 4 | Kator | |
MF | Ivan Wani | 12 December 1998 | 14 | 0 | Bul | |
MF | Loki Emmanuel | 14 November 2001 | 11 | 1 | Bright Stars | |
MF | Manyumow Achol | 10 December 2000 | 10 | 0 | Auda | |
MF | Joseph Malish Manase | 27 July 2002 | 10 | 0 | Al-Merreikh Juba | |
MF | Kenyi Wani | 26 March 2004 | 4 | 0 | Al-Malakia | |
MF | Francis Onekalit Odong | 18 August 1996 | 2 | 0 | Blacks Power | |
MF | Mario Taban Cherlino Albano | 23 April 2006 | 0 | 0 | Future Stars | |
MF | Mandela Malish | 10 October 1999 | 0 | 0 | Onduparaka | |
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FW | Tito Okello | 7 January 1996 | 16 | 4 | Paykan | |
FW | Valentino Yuel | 12 October 1994 | 11 | 2 | Western Sydney Wanderers | |
FW | Ajak Riak | 12 December 2000 | 4 | 0 | PSS Sleman | |
FW | Machop Chol | 14 November 1998 | 3 | 0 | San Antonio FC | |
FW | Paul Jawa | 15 July 2004 | 2 | 0 | Rainbow | |
FW | Lazarus Peter George Laku | 29 May 2008 | 0 | 0 | Future Stars |
Recent call ups
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Majak Mawith | 18 September 1999 | 11 | 0 | Port Melbourne | v. Congo, 27 March 2023 |
GK | Godwill Yugusuk | 28 November 1999 | 0 | 0 | Kator | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
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DF | Majak Mayor | 24 December 2001 | 2 | 0 | El Nasir | v. Congo, 27 March 2023 |
DF | Bangasi Bakosoro | 1 January 1996 | 0 | 0 | Kator | v. Congo, 27 March 2023 |
DF | James Bul | 11 February 2004 | 0 | 0 | Al-Malakia | v. Congo, 27 March 2023 |
DF | Ryen Jiba | 29 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | Minnesota United | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
DF | Mabior Mabior | 29 December 2003 | 0 | 0 | Super Star | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
DF | Ryan Mahuta | 7 July 2002 | 0 | 0 | Haka | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
DF | Nikson Sarfino | 4 March 2003 | 0 | 0 | Al-Merreikh Juba | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
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MF | Jackson Morgan | 18 August 1998 | 14 | 0 | Bentleigh Greens | v. Congo, 27 March 2023 |
MF | Shadrack Wani | 26 March 2004 | 2 | 0 | Al-Malakia | v. Congo, 27 March 2023 |
MF | Kennedy Juma | 3 July 2004 | 0 | 0 | Mission | v. Congo, 27 March 2023 |
MF | Joseph Loro | 7 July 2004 | 0 | 0 | Munuki | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
MF | Norman Lumumba | 15 November 2005 | 0 | 0 | Calvary | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
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FW | William Akio | 23 July 1998 | 6 | 0 | Cavalry FC | v. Congo, 27 March 2023 |
FW | Dani Thon | 29 November 2002 | 2 | 1 | Blansko | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
FW | Agwa Okuot Obiech | 1 March 1996 | 1 | 0 | Brattvåg | v. Congo, 27 March 2023 |
FW | Felix Abishai | 6 June 2004 | 0 | 0 | Amarat United | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
FW | Manyluak Aguek | 8 February 2000 | 0 | 0 | Avondale | v. Congo, 23 March 2023 PRE |
Player records
- Players in bold are still active with South Sudan.
Most appearances
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
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1 | Peter Chol | 34 | 4 | 2015–present |
2 | Juma Genaro | 30 | 0 | 2012–2022 |
Dominic Abui Pretino | 30 | 4 | 2013–2021 | |
4 | Leon Uso Khamis | 29 | 3 | 2012–2022 |
Peter Maker | 29 | 0 | 2018–present | |
6 | Athir Thomas | 21 | 1 | 2012–2019 |
7 | Zachariah Adwin | 20 | 0 | 2012–2017 |
David Dada | 20 | 0 | 2014–2018 | |
Tito Okello | 20 | 5 | 2020–present | |
10 | Aluck Akech | 18 | 0 | 2014–2021 |
James Moga | 18 | 6 | 2012–2017 |
Top goalscorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
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1 | James Moga | 6 | 18 | 0.33 | 2012–2017 |
2 | Tito Okello | 5 | 20 | 0.25 | 2020–present |
3 | Joseph Kuch Nyuar | 4 | 8 | 0.5 | 2017–2019 |
Dominic Abui Pretino | 4 | 30 | 0.13 | 2013–2021 | |
Peter Chol | 4 | 34 | 0.12 | 2015–present | |
6 | Sebit Bruno | 3 | 10 | 0.3 | 2015–2016 |
Atak Lual | 3 | 13 | 0.23 | 2014–2018 | |
Leon Uso Khamis | 3 | 29 | 0.1 | 2012–2022 | |
9 | Richard Justin Lado | 2 | 8 | 0.25 | 2012–2017 |
Wurube Robert Lopidia | 2 | 10 | 0.2 | 2016–2018 | |
Valentino Yuel | 2 | 15 | 0.13 | 2022–present |
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup | Qualification | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
1930 to 1938 | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||
1950 to 2010 | Part of Sudan | Part of Sudan | ||||||||||||||
2014 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | ||||||||||||||
2018 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | |||||||||
2022 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
2026 | To be determined | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||
2030 | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
2034 | ||||||||||||||||
Total | 0/2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
1957 | Part of Sudan | Part of Sudan | ||||||||||||||
1959 | ||||||||||||||||
1962 | ||||||||||||||||
1963 | ||||||||||||||||
1965 | ||||||||||||||||
1968 | ||||||||||||||||
1970 | ||||||||||||||||
1974 | ||||||||||||||||
1976 | ||||||||||||||||
1978 | ||||||||||||||||
1980 | ||||||||||||||||
1982 | ||||||||||||||||
1984 | ||||||||||||||||
1986 | ||||||||||||||||
1988 | ||||||||||||||||
1990 | ||||||||||||||||
1992 | ||||||||||||||||
1994 | ||||||||||||||||
1996 | ||||||||||||||||
1998 | ||||||||||||||||
2000 | ||||||||||||||||
2002 | ||||||||||||||||
2004 | ||||||||||||||||
2006 | ||||||||||||||||
2008 | ||||||||||||||||
2010 | ||||||||||||||||
2012 | Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
2013 | ||||||||||||||||
2015 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||
2017 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 15 | ||||||||||
2019 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 20 | ||||||||||
2021 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 7 | ||||||||||
2023 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | ||||||||||
2025 | To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
2027 | ||||||||||||||||
Total | – | 0/36 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 32 | 8 | 1 | 23 | 26 | 62 |
African Nations Championship
African Nations Championship record | ||||||||
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Appearances: 0 | ||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
2009 | Part of Sudan | |||||||
2011 | ||||||||
2014 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2016 | ||||||||
2018 | ||||||||
2020 | ||||||||
2022 | ||||||||
Total | – | 0/7 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
CECAFA Cup
CECAFA Cup record | ||||||||
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Appearances: 4 | ||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
1973 to 2010 | Part of Sudan | |||||||
2011 | Did not enter | |||||||
2012 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
2013 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
2015 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
2017 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
2019 | Did not enter | |||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 4/40 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 22 |
FIFA Arab Cup
FIFA Arab Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
1963 to 2009 | Part of Sudan | Part of Sudan | ||||||||||||||
2012 | Not invited | Not invited | ||||||||||||||
2021 | Did not qualify | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |||||||||
Total | 0/9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
The 2009 edition was cancelled during qualification.
Head-to-head record
South Sudan national football team results
Dual-internationals
The following South Sudanese international footballers have also played for Sudan national football team before the country's independence:
- James Moga – forward for Sudan. Played for them in 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification and 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification. Played 14 matches and scored six goals.
- Richard Justin Lado – Experienced defender in club football for Khartoum 3 and played for Sudan between 2008 and 2012.
- Athir Thomas – defender in Sudan before the country's partition.
- Roy Gulwak – Goalkeeper who represented Sudan in two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in 2009, conceding two goals.
- Khamis Martin – Played one international game for Sudan in 2010.
Historical kits
2011 Home
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2011 Home
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2012 Home
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2012 Home
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2012 Away
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2013 Home
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2014 Home
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2014 Away
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2014 Third
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2015 Home
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2015 Away
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2015 Third
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2017 Home
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2017 Away
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2017 Third
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2020 Home
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2020 Away
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2021 Home
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2021 Away
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2021 Home
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2021 Away
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2022 Home
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2022 Away
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2023 Home
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2023 Away
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Sources:
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Sudán del Sur para niños