By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan
JUBA, South Sudan — South Sudanese football coaches Bilal Felix Komoyangi Avuruako and James Peter Lado have made history after becoming the first South Sudanese coaches to receive the FIFA Coach Educators Diploma.
The duo received their certificates on 21 September 2026, bringing to an end a journey that began in 2023 and included online studies, practical field sessions and coaching education activities outside South Sudan.
Komoyangi and Lado undertook the FIFA Coach Educators programme through a combination of online learning and on-field practical training, gaining experience in different coaching environments as they worked towards the qualification.
As part of the journey, Komoyangi also travelled to Kenya for elements of his coaching education, adding an international dimension to his development as a coach educator.
The qualification represents a significant milestone for both coaches and for South Sudanese football, as they become the first coaches from South Sudan to receive the FIFA Coach Educators Diploma.
The achievement comes as both coaches continue to pursue the CAF A Diploma, the highest level of CAF coaching qualification.
Komoyangi is undertaking his CAF A Diploma studies under the Tanzania Football Association (TFF), while Lado is pursuing the qualification through the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).
Komoyangi is also currently on national duty with the South Sudan senior men's national team, where he serves as an assistant coach.
Their achievement adds to South Sudan's growing pool of qualified football coaching educators. The country currently has 15 CAF Coach Educators.
They are Dr. Salyi Lolaku Samuel, Lukudu Alhag Nicholas, Dr. Peter James Lado, Bilal Felix Komoyangi, Ramzi Sebit Lumori, Moses Zechariah Nogor, Mawien Deng Ajing, Musadag Ahmed Deng, Edmond Hassan Martin, George Paulino Liwa, Albino Simon Ajak, Augustino Charles, Esther Kide Kute, Dau Alaak Jok Alew and Sabino Domaso M.
Of the 15 CAF Coach Educators, Esther Kide Kute is the only female.
South Sudan currently has one CAF A Diploma holder, Dr. Salyi Lolaku Samuel.
Eight coaches Educators out of the 15 hold the CAF B Diploma, while six hold the CAF C Diploma.
For Komoyangi and Lado, completing the FIFA Coach Educators Diploma marks the latest stage of a coaching journey that has taken them from online classrooms to practical field sessions and international learning environments.
Their continued pursuit of the CAF A Diploma could further add to the development of high-level coaching expertise in South Sudan, while their experience as FIFA Coach Educators provides another avenue for contributing to the development of coaches across the country.
The milestone comes at a time when South Sudan continues to build its football coaching structures and expand opportunities for local coaches to gain internationally recognised qualifications.
