South Sudan’s wait for the second win in AFCON qualifiers will continue

The Bright Stars of South Sudan could not hold to a 1-0 lead from the opening 45 minutes of the second game in AFCON 2023 group qualifiers against Mali at St. Mary’s Kitende, Kampala-Uganda on Thursday afternoon, as they conceded two quick late goals to loose the game 1-3.

Kiki Kouyate scored the opener in his own net after Peter Maker’s deflected shot off the poll landed on his feet. Coach Stefano Cusin’s men held to the lead at the break but could not replicate in the second spell of the game as Mohamed Camara leveled it in the 59th minute.

South Sudan’s hopes of salvaging a point from the game was boosted when substitute Ibrahima Kone was shown straight red card for elbowing Toha Rashid.

Though, it was evident that the West African side were more desperate for all the three points and ending the opening rounds of fixtures at the top with maximum points from two ties.

Their efforts paid off in the added minutes of the game as both substitute Sekou Koita and Aliou Dieng put the Les Aigles ahead in the 3rd and 5th minute of the extra-time respectively.

Bright Stars failed to manage the closing stages of the game well, which has been one aspect of their game that needs to be worked on.

Fans might lament the collapse of the team to the limping off of the Captain Pater Maker Manyang who was pulled out at the start of the second-half.

The defeat leaves South Sudan bottom of Group G with no points from two games and their next outing will be against Congo Brazzaville, who beat The Gambia 1-0 on Wednesday.