Yei Joint Stars head coach Sony Harriet has played down her team’s 10-1 defeat to Future Stars Football Academy U17, insisting the preseason friendly was primarily about preparation ahead of the CECAFA tournament in Rwanda.
The South Sudan women’s champions suffered a heavy defeat against the FSFA U17 boys in their final preparation match, but Harriet says the scoreline was not the main focus of the technical team.
According to the coach, the difference in physical intensity between a boys’ U17 team and a women’s side made the friendly a useful test for her players ahead of the regional competition.
“When you compare boys and girls, the intensity is not all that balanced. There is a difference between playing a boys’ team and a girls’ team,” Harriet told Sports Hunter South Sudan.
Harriet said the technical team was more interested in assessing the players’ performance, identifying weaknesses and ensuring they are better prepared for the challenges ahead.
“For me, the result of today is not bad. There are some few technical mistakes that we will work on as a team with my technical staff to fix,” she said.
The coach believes the friendly provided valuable lessons that can be addressed before Yei Joint Stars begin their CECAFA campaign.
Yei Joint Stars Target Group-Stage Breakthrough
Yei Joint Stars are set to make their sixth appearance in the CECAFA tournament, having previously failed to progress beyond the group stage.
Harriet says that history has increased the team’s determination to achieve a different result this time.
“We are going there to compete and make sure that we go out of the group stage and go to the next level,” she said.
The coach believes improved preparation, hard work and coordination between the technical team and club management can help the South Sudan champions break the group-stage barrier.
“I’m sure we are going to work hard with my technical team and the management of Yei Joint Stars to make sure that we cross that bridge of getting out from the group stage before reaching the semifinals,” Harriet added.
With their final preseason test now completed, Yei Joint Stars will shift their focus to their CECAFA campaign in Rwanda, where they will aim to make history by advancing beyond the group stage for the first time.
