By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan
KAMPALA, Uganda – El Merriekh SC Bentiu will play their first pre-season friendly match on Friday as preparations intensify ahead of the new football season and the upcoming CAF Champions League preliminary stages.
The South Sudan Premier League champions and South Sudan Cup holders announced through their official media channels that they will face Lukuli Hearts Football Club at Nsambya YES Center, with kick-off scheduled for 9:00 AM.
The friendly match will mark the first game in charge for new head coach Jean Claude Loboko, who is using the pre-season period to assess his squad and build a competitive team ahead of the club’s continental and domestic challenges.
El Merriekh SC Bentiu began their pre-season camp in Uganda on 8 July 2026 and will have completed 16 days of preparation by 24 July (or 17 calendar days when counting both the start and current date). During this period, the team has focused on fitness, tactical preparations, and team building.
The match against Lukuli Hearts FC will provide the technical team with an opportunity to evaluate players’ progress, test tactical ideas, and improve match readiness before competitive fixtures begin.
With the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds and the defence of their domestic titles ahead, El Merriekh SC Bentiu are aiming to build on their successful 2025/2026 campaign and make a strong return to action.
