South Sudan men’s U-20 football team returned to Juba on Monday from Egypt, after bowing out of the continental tournament at quarterfinals stage.
The Bright Stars collected four points after beating Central African Republic and drawing against Uganda, but were eliminated after losing 5-0 to The Gambia.
It is the first time in history that South Sudan has qualified for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.
On Monday, the team arrived from Egypt via the Sudanese capital Khartoum, according to Victor Lawrence Lual, the Secretary-General of the South Sudan Football Association.
Lual said South Sudanese should be proud of the team who reaching quarterfinals for the first time in history.
He urged the fans to remain united behind their team regardless of the 5-0 defeat that eliminated the youngsters.
“When our national under-20 won and qualified for the next round, it was happiness for the entire country, and when we lost the match, it was the football management and players who lost,” he posted on his official page.
The SSFA official was apparently frustrated at a low turnout of supporters.
“With this mentality of supporting our team when they win, and humiliating them when they lose, we are not going anywhere.”
“The level our team has reached now is something we should all be proud of and we shouldn’t discourage these young players. The future is still bright ahead of us.”
Meanwhile, the management of the South Sudan Football Association encourages the general public to turn up in large numbers at Buluk Playground in the afternoon to celebrate and welcome the national team.
“The Team has Arrived today Monday 6th March 2023 at 10 am will be followed by a thanksgiving ceremony at Buluk Football Playground at 4 pm,” reads a statement posted on the SSFA page.