South Sudan achieved its first win in Group K of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers by defeating Republic of Congo 3-2. Coach Nicholas Dupuis praised his players for their performance, particularly their comeback after conceding an early goal. The win boosts South Sudan’s confidence ahead of their next match against South Africa. Meanwhile, Republic of Congo faces criticism for defensive errors that cost them crucial points in the group standings.
In a thrilling encounter at Juba, South Sudan secured its inaugural victory in Group K of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, overcoming the Republic of Congo with a scoreline of 3-2. Coach Nicholas Dupuis expressed pride in his players’ performance, particularly highlighting their resilience after conceding an early goal in the first half. South Sudan’s determination was evident as they netted two crucial goals in the second half to clinch the win. “I think it was a good game; we could have scored five or six goals, and I have to congratulate my players for the first time,” Dupuis remarked during the post-match conference. Dupuis indicated a shift in focus towards the second round of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), where his team is set to face Rwanda. He noted that this victory serves as a significant boost to the confidence of his squad as they prepare to challenge South Africa in their concluding AFCON fixture. “I am very proud of my players; we are going to play South Africa next, which is a good team, but we are going to play to learn,” he added. On the other hand, Republic of Congo’s head coach, Isaac Ngata, attributed the loss to defensive lapses that hindered the team’s chance to pressure their rivals South Africa and Uganda, who qualified alongside his team. “It has been a long time for us to score more than one goal in the qualifiers, but today we did it. Our problem was in defense,” Ngata stated, indicating the need for his players to maintain concentration after achieving a lead. As it stands, Uganda leads Group K with ten points, followed by South Africa with eight; Republic of Congo sits third with four points, while South Sudan remains at the bottom with three points.
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers are critical for national teams as they seek to secure their positions for the prestigious tournament scheduled for 2025. South Sudan, a relatively new player in the international football scene, aims to establish its stature among African giants through competitive performances. Their match against the Republic of Congo marked a turning point as they achieved their first victory in the qualifiers, showcasing resilience and determination, particularly in challenging circumstances.
In summary, South Sudan’s landmark victory against the Republic of Congo in the AFCON qualifiers not only highlights their potential but also emphasizes the significance of maintaining focus and determination in competitive sports. Coach Nicholas Dupuis’s leadership and strategic adjustments played a crucial role in this win, which ought to inspire confidence as they move forward in subsequent matches. Conversely, the Republic of Congo must reassess its defensive strategies as they attempt to regroup for future challenges.
Original Source: www.uniindia.com
