South Sudan Edges Congo in Five-Goal Thriller; Uganda and South Africa Qualify
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Loading... - Mpenda Nduati
- 18 Nov 2024
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In a thrilling encounter at Juba National Stadium, South Sudan triumphed over Congo in a high-scoring 3-2 match during the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday. This victory not only marked South Sudan's first points of the qualifying campaign but also confirmed the qualification of Uganda and South Africa for the tournament set to take place in Morocco next year.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with South Sudan demonstrating remarkable resilience by overcoming a 2-1 deficit to secure a crucial win that sent their home fans into a frenzy. The result in Group K solidified Uganda's position at the top of the group with 10 points, followed closely by South Africa with eight points. South Sudan's victory brought them to three points, just behind Congo, who now sit at four points.
Congo started the match with determination, taking the lead in the 26th minute when Christopher Ibayi headed home from close range. However, South Sudan quickly responded, leveling the score just five minutes later through Ebon Malish, who found the net with a powerful header.
Congo regained the lead shortly after, with Ibayi scoring his second goal in the 35th minute with a well-placed shot from a tight angle. Despite falling behind again, South Sudan refused to back down and equalized just before halftime. In the 45+2 minute, Malish struck again, heading in a cross from William Gama to make it 2-2.
The second half saw South Sudan come out with renewed energy, and the turning point of the match occurred in the 78th minute when Bryan Passi of Congo received a red card, leaving his team with just ten men. This shift in momentum proved pivotal for South Sudan.
In the 84th minute, substitute Data Elly clinched the victory for South Sudan with a clinical finish, sealing the match at 3-2. This win not only boosts South Sudan's standings but also keeps their hopes alive in the qualifying campaign.
Group K Standings
With just one match remaining in the qualifiers, the standings in Group K are as follows:
Uganda: 10 points
South Africa: 8 points
Congo: 4 points
South Sudan: 3 points
Congo's inability to secure a win means they cannot overtake Uganda and South Africa, paving the way for the top two teams to qualify for the 2025 TotalEnergies AFCON.
This thrilling match showcased the determination and fighting spirit of South Sudan, marking a significant moment in their footballing journey as they continue to develop on the international stage.
