Tong Micheal Chol, the President of El-Merriekh FC Juba - Moses Awan/Eye Radio - August 30, 2023

El-Merriekh FC Juba has appealed to the government of Central Equatoria State and stakeholders to fund their trip to Angola for the second-round match on 15 September.

Tong Micheal Chol, the President of El-Merriekh FC Juba says the state government has been silent despite the club’s historical qualification in the CAF tournament.

Last Saturday, EL-Merriekh FC Juba made a historical qualification to the first round of the CAF Confederation Cup after overcoming the Sudanese side Haiduob En-Nuhod in Addis Ababa.

The qualifying came as the result of last Saturday’s goalless draw between the two teams that gave an upper hand to EL-Merriekh who won the first leg last with 1:0 that led to the elimination of the Sudanese’s team.

The club Chairman, Chol says that the Addis Ababa trip has not been supported by the state or national government.

He says if the situation repeats itself, they will not be able to travel to Angola for the second round.

Chol called on the entire sport’s stakeholders in the country to stand with the team to fulfil its continental obligations.

“As the club management, we managed to handle the first round, but the next stage we as the club will not be able to cater for it,” said Tong.

“If we want to overcome the next stage, for South Sudan to have a chance in football and the future we must support this team as the South Sudanese with the capacity that we have. We need to stand behind El-Merriekh FC to overcome the next stage.”

Meanwhile Juba base football club chairman expressed his disappointment with the central Equatoria state government for not supporting with even one pound.

Tong says his players were demoralised as they were not been received by any government officials from the states including the state Ministry of Sports.

“Unfortunately, despite this historical achievement, we didn’t receive any financial or moral support from the local government or the state ministry of sports in central Equatoria,” said Michael.

“The club belongs to the Juba local football association, it represents the state, and up to now nobody from the state government  paid a visit to the team, even the concerned minister (sports minister) of central Equatoria even after the team returned from the trip.”

This is the first in history for the South Sudanese team to pass the preliminary round in all CAF inter-club tournaments since 2011.