South Sudan Under-20 manager, Peter James has drawn inspiration from the Morocco national team after his team recorded their first-ever win at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The Bright Stars defeated neighbours Central African Republic 1-0 for their maiden win in what is the country’s first appearance in any CAF-sanctioned football tournament.
James mirrors the victory in the manner of Morocco who became the first African team to reach the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after beating Portugal in during the 2022 edition of the tournament in Qatar.
“We have so many examples like Morocco did it at the FIFA World Cup why not South Sudan here at the AFCON U-20,” James said on the CAF website.
“Football is a game of hard work – we have been working hard in the first game. I’m very happy we did the job and we will continue in that spirit.”
James was also pleased with Paul Jawa who scored the only goal of the game and was also responsible for South Sudan’s first-ever U-20 AFCON goal in the defeat by Congo.
The coach’s next focus will be against Uganda in their Group B game which will determine whether they make it to the quarter-finals or face an early exit.
WHAT IT MEANS! 😍
🇸🇸 A moment of history for South Sudan 💥#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 pic.twitter.com/eu04pbQiwh
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) February 23, 2023
“I’m happy for him because he has been improving on his performances every game,” James continued.
“The last match he came in and scored the goal against Congo and today he won and scored the penalty and created many chances for the team so I’m very happy for him and I believe he is going to be one of our top players in South Sudan
“It is our first time to qualify for the AFCON U-20 and it is an honour but we’re here because we deserved to be here.
“We came from the CECAFA zone with Uganda so we’re trying to show where South Sudan football is.
“Our next target is to win our next game so that we move up.”
The other Group B game saw Uganda and Congo play out a 2-2 draw, the Congolese finishing with 10 men after Claude Ngongara received two yellow cards in the first half.
