South Sudan beat Congo 2-1 with goals from Peter Chol and Tito Okello. (Photo: SSFA).

South Sudan men’s football team surprised Congo Brazzaville with a 2-1 defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification in Brazzaville, despite being reduced to ten by a second half red card.

The Bright Stars humiliated the hosts, who are 66 places above them in the FIFA ranking and had the advantage of playing at home.

Congo have a strong record in international football, with a number of talented players in their
ranks.

South Sudan, however, is not a team to be underestimated as they sank the Congolese in their first ever AFCON meeting.

The Bright Stars secured a second half lead with a 75-minute goal from Peter Chol in the TotalEnergies tournament.

Okello Tito scored the decisive goal in the 90s minute despite what could have been a crippling red card on captain Maker.

After the Leopards suffered defeat at home in the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat, Brazzaville, they will visit South Sudan for the second leg of the competition in Tanzania on March 27.