By Brown Emalex | Sports Hunter South Sudan
Juba - South Sudan’s U-17 national team has been drawn into Group A of the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers following the official draw conducted on Wednesday. The Junior Bright Stars will compete alongside hosts Rwanda, Sudan, and Somalia in what promises to be a challenging group for the South Sudanese youngsters.
A Familiar Test Against Somalia
South Sudan will renew its rivalry with Somalia after the two sides met in the quarter-finals of last year’s U-17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers in Kampala, Uganda.
That encounter went all the way to a penalty shootout, with Somalia U-17 advancing to the semi-finals after the decisive spot kicks. The upcoming meeting will therefore provide South Sudan with another opportunity to face a familiar opponent and seek a different outcome.
Rivalry With Sudan Adds Extra Interest
The group will also see South Sudan face regional rivals Sudan U-17, adding further significance to the competition.
The meeting between the two sides is expected to attract considerable attention, given the football rivalry between the neighboring nations and the importance of the tournament as a pathway toward the U-17 AFCON. South Sudan will also face Rwanda, the host nation, in what would be the first meeting between the two countries at this level of the competition.
Preparation Set to Begin in Juba
South Sudan U-17 is expected to begin its preparations on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the Bulluk Technical Training Centre in Juba, according to a source close to the team.
The preparations follow head coach Mawien Deng's announcement of a 62-player provisional squad in Juba on Wednesday afternoon.
With the tournament approaching, the coaching staff will now begin the process of assessing the provisional squad and preparing the Young Bright Stars for what promises to be a demanding group stage.
Group A
🇸🇸 South Sudan
🇷🇼 Rwanda
🇸🇩 Sudan
🇸🇴 Somalia
The Young Bright Stars will be looking to make the most of their opportunity as they aim to progress beyond the group stage and strengthen South Sudan's presence on the regional youth football stage.
