Interview by Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan
Following his transfer from Future Stars Football Academy to El Merriekh SC Bentiu on 14 July 2026, promising goalkeeper Benson Joseph sat down with Sports Hunter South Sudan for an exclusive interview.
The 19-year-old goalkeeper reflects on his journey from Wadakona in Upper Nile State, the inspiration behind his decision to become a goalkeeper, the role played by Future Stars Football Academy in his development, and his ambitions as he begins a new chapter with the reigning South Sudan Premier League and South Sudan Cup champions.
Q: Benson, congratulations on joining El Merriekh SC Bentiu. What does this opportunity mean to you as a young goalkeeper?
Benson Joseph: Thank you so much. As a 19-year-old goalkeeper, this is my first big step into senior football. It is not just a contract; it is a chance to prove that all those early morning training sessions, the saves, the mistakes, and the lessons were worth it.
I am grateful, hungry, and ready. This is the beginning of a journey where I want to help the team win, keep clean sheets, and continue improving until I become a goalkeeper that El Merriekh can count on.
Q: Who inspired you to become a goalkeeper?
Benson Joseph: There was a football pitch in front of our house in Wadakona, Upper Nile State, and I used to watch football from there. There was a goalkeeper who inspired me; his name was Benjamin. Through his leadership, saves, and the character he showed on the pitch, I developed a love for goalkeeping.
Benjamin was the first person who inspired me. Growing up watching him was special, and he was the reason I decided to become a goalkeeper. After the conflict in 2013, I lost track of him, and later we moved to Sudan, where I started following veteran goalkeeper Juma Genaro. He was also a big inspiration for me because he is an incredible goalkeeper.
Currently, the South Sudan goalkeeper I admire most is Majak Mawith, while internationally my idol is Manuel Neuer.
Q: You are moving from Future Stars Football Academy to one of the biggest clubs in South Sudan. How has Future Stars contributed to your development as a player?
Benson Joseph: Future Stars gave me the foundation I needed. At FSFA, they focused on getting the basics right. Every day we worked on technique, positioning, distribution, decision-making, and understanding the role of a modern goalkeeper.
I joined the academy with talent, but I left with proper habits. The coaches never allowed us to take shortcuts. If something was not done correctly during training, we repeated it until we improved.
The academy also taught me discipline and professionalism. Football was not only about playing; it was about punctuality, recovery, balancing education and football, and learning how to behave like a professional before getting a professional contract.
FSFA also helped me understand the game better. I learned how to read situations, organize defenders, communicate, and make decisions under pressure. The academy gave me the technique, mentality, and work ethic that I will carry with me into the next stage of my career.
Q: What are the biggest lessons you learned from your coaches and teammates at Future Stars?
Benson Joseph: The biggest lessons are:
- Discipline beats talent.
- Team first, ego last.
- Listen and apply.
- Respect the process.
- Always look out for each other.
Those lessons will remain with me throughout my football career.
Q: El Merriekh SC Bentiu had a successful season, winning both the South Sudan Premier League and South Sudan Cup. What motivated you to join the champions?
Benson Joseph: Honestly, I did not join just to wear a winners medal. I joined because I want to help defend those titles and win more trophies. Being champions means the expectations are higher, and that is the kind of challenge I want. El Merriekh is one of the biggest clubs in South Sudan.
Watching their success and the way they have grown motivated me to become part of that history.
I wanted to test myself against the best, experience the pressure of competing at a top club, and continue growing as a goalkeeper. It is not only about football; it is about being part of something bigger.
Q: What are your personal targets at El Merriekh SC Bentiu this season?
Benson Joseph: My main target is development. I want to earn playing time, compete for a starting position, and prove that I can be trusted whenever I am given an opportunity. At 19 years old, I know I still have a lot to learn, but every training session and every match is a chance to become stronger technically, mentally, and physically.
My goal is to finish the season as a better goalkeeper than when I started.
Q: Competition among goalkeepers at a top club is always high. How are you preparing yourself to fight for a starting position?
Benson Joseph: Competition makes everyone better. For me, it comes down to standards, details, and mentality. I treat every training session like a match. I focus on every aspect of goalkeeping — first saves, distribution, one-on-one situations, crosses, and communication. If I make a mistake, I learn from it and improve in the next session.
I am 19 years old, but I am not waiting. My responsibility is to make the coach's decision as difficult as possible every week.
Q: What qualities do you believe make a good modern goalkeeper?
Benson Joseph: A modern goalkeeper needs good shot-stopping ability, strong positioning, confidence with the ball at his feet, communication, decision-making under pressure, consistency, and the right mentality.
Q: From academy football to senior football, what advice would you give to young players dreaming of reaching this level?
Benson Joseph: Be coachable and love the hard work that people do not always see. Handle pressure and setbacks positively. Be a good teammate, not just a good player. Take care of your body and respect the process. Dream big, but focus on the small things. Win today's training session and improve every day. If you keep doing that, opportunities will come.
Q: What message do you have for Future Stars Football Academy, your coaches, teammates, and supporters?
Benson Joseph: Future Stars Football Academy gave me my first real home in football. Thank you for believing in me, giving me the platform to grow, and teaching me not only how to be a goalkeeper but how to become a professional.
To my coaches, thank you for the extra sessions, the honest feedback, and for pushing me even when things were difficult. Every save I make carries the lessons you taught me.
To my teammates, we grew together. The wins, losses, competition, and friendship made me better every day. Keep working hard because one of us making it means all of us can make it. I promise to continue working hard and represent Future Stars in the right way wherever my journey takes me.
Q: Finally, what promise can you make to the fans of El Merriekh SC Bentiu as you begin this new journey?
Benson Joseph: I promise to wear this shirt with pride and respect. I will fight for the badge every time I step onto the pitch, whether in training or in matches. This is the beginning of a new chapter for me, and I am honoured to start it with El Merriekh SC Bentiu. I am here to compete, grow, and help the club achieve more success. Let’s do this together.
That was Benson Joseph, the 19-year-old goalkeeper who has embarked on a new chapter with El Merriekh SC Bentiu after his development journey at Future Stars Football Academy.
His story is a reminder that talent, when combined with discipline, hard work, and the right environment, can open doors to bigger opportunities Benson joins the growing list of young South Sudanese talents making the step from academy football to the professional level, and all eyes will be on his progress with the reigning South Sudan Premier League and South Sudan Cup champions.
My name is Emmanuel Patrick Laku, and this has been an exclusive interview for Sports Hunter South Sudan.
Thank you for reading, and continue following us for more stories from South Sudan football and beyond.
