South Sudan achieved a 3-2 victory over Republic of Congo in the AFCON qualifiers, marking their first win in Group K. Coach Nicholas Dupuis praised his players’ performance and emphasized the need for defensive improvement. Republic of Congo’s coach, Isaac Ngata, attributed the loss to defensive lapses. South Sudan now looks ahead to face South Africa, aiming to build on their recent success.
Juba, Nov 15 — In an impressive display, South Sudan secured its inaugural victory in Group K of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers by overcoming the Republic of Congo with a scoreline of 3-2. Following the match, head coach Nicholas Dupuis expressed immense pride in his players, particularly commending their resolve after initially conceding an early goal in the first half. The turning point in the contest came in the second half, where South Sudan rallied to score two critical goals, marking a significant achievement for the team. During a post-match conference held in Juba, Coach Dupuis acknowledged the competitive nature of the game, indicating that the team could have netted additional goals. “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. The first half was equal for both teams, but as I have always been saying before, we need to perfect the art of defending dead ball situations,” he stated. Dupris also noted that the victory had substantially uplifted the team’s confidence as they now prepare for their next challenge against South Africa, aiming to learn and improve further. In a turn of events earlier this month, South Sudan successfully qualified for the second round of the 2025 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship by defeating Kenya with a 3-1 aggregate score. Meanwhile, Republic of Congo’s head coach Isaac Ngata lamented defensive shortcomings that cost his team vital points. He commented, “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, but unfortunately, we could not respond to the pressure of the South Sudanese attackers.” Ngata also highlighted that complacency after securing leads contributed to their downfall, citing a lack of concentration from his players in critical moments. As it stands, Uganda leads Group K with ten points, followed by South Africa with eight. The Republic of Congo sits in third place with four points, while South Sudan now boasts three points at the bottom of the standings.
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers are crucial for national teams as they compete for a place in one of Africa’s most illustrious football tournaments. South Sudan, a relatively newer team in the continental football scene, faced off against Republic of Congo, an established side. This match not only marked South Sudan’s first victory in the qualifiers but also underscored their potential to challenge more experienced teams. Coach Nicholas Dupuis’s emphasis on building a robust defense indicates strategic planning moving forward in the tournament, while Republic of Congo’s struggles reflect issues of consistency and concentration within the squad.
The recent victory for South Sudan against Republic of Congo in the AFCON qualifiers not only boosts their morale but also showcases their potential to compete on a larger platform. Coach Nicholas Dupuis aims to capitalize on this momentum as they prepare for future matches, particularly against stronger opponents like South Africa. Meanwhile, Republic of Congo must address their defensive vulnerabilities to reclaim their position in the standings.
Original Source: www.uniindia.com
