By Emmanuel Patrick Laku — Sports Hunter South Sudan
Juba - South Sudan’s U17 national team reportedly faced passport documentation and player-eligibility challenges during their opening Group A fixture against hosts Rwanda in the 2026 CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, CECAFA Zone, in Rwanda.
Head coach Mawien Deng Ajing, popularly known as Manawa, had only four players on the substitutes’ bench for Saturday’s match at Kigali Pele Stadium, despite the team travelling with a 20-player squad.
The South Sudan Football Federation’s published team lineup also showed four substitutes, consistent with the limited number of players available for the fixture.
A team official, who requested anonymity because of concerns about possible professional consequences, told Sports Hunter South Sudan that five players were unavailable because of passport discrepancies, age-related eligibility concerns and difficulties obtaining the required travel documents.
Passport discrepancies raise eligibility concerns
According to the official, three players encountered discrepancies involving their dates of birth across passports and previously issued travel documents.
In the first case, the official alleged that a player whose year of birth was 2011 received a passport showing 2009. The discrepancy was reportedly discovered during document verification after the passport arrived on the morning before the match.
The official said the competition’s age eligibility requirements covered players born between 2010 and 2012. The date recorded on the passport therefore raised concerns about the player’s eligibility.
A second player, reportedly born in 2012, received a passport showing 2013, according to the source. This also created an eligibility concern under the competition’s age requirements.
The official attributed the discrepancies to errors in the passport issuance process. Sports Hunter South Sudan has not independently verified the circumstances surrounding the documents.
A third player reportedly faced a separate issue involving conflicting birth years in documents used for previous international participation.
According to the official, the player had participated in a tournament in Ethiopia last year using a travel document that listed his birth year as 2011, while his subsequently issued passport showed 2012.
The source said the player was already registered in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) system and that clarification from the relevant football authorities was needed to establish his status and possible availability for the next fixture.
The official indicated that discussions between CAF and CECAFA were expected to address the case. However, Sports Hunter South Sudan has not independently confirmed whether a final decision was reached on the player’s eligibility.
Passport application problems affect two more players
The official further alleged that two other players were unable to obtain passports because of issues involving their national identity documents.
According to the source, the players initially indicated that they did not have national identity cards, prompting efforts to process alternative documentation, including birth certificates and travel documents.
The official said subsequent checks revealed problems with their national identity records. These reportedly included discrepancies in the recorded years of birth and a difference between one player’s submitted name and the name on the original national identity document.
The source said the relevant authorities declined to issue passports under those circumstances.
The official added that the competition required passports for player registration, meaning the two players could not be registered using the alternative documents.
Sports Hunter South Sudan has not independently verified these claims. The names of the players and their academies are being withheld to protect the privacy of minors.
CECAFA directs inquiry to SSFF
Sports Hunter South Sudan contacted the CECAFA Secretariat seeking clarification on the reported passport discrepancies and eligibility concerns.
Andrew Jackson Aryada, CECAFA’s Head of Marketing and Communications, responded to the inquiry and directed the publication to the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF), indicating that the Federation had received explanations concerning the matter.
"please talk directly to SSFF, the Federation received all the explanation. It is only the Federation that can communicate this" he said.
Sports Hunter South Sudan subsequently contacted SSFF Secretary General Bak Athian by phone and sent two WhatsApp messages seeking the Federation’s official position.
No response had been received by the time of publication.
The reported documentation problems have not been independently verified by Sports Hunter South Sudan. The publication has also not established whether CAF or CECAFA has formally declared any of the players ineligible or initiated an official eligibility review.
Young Bright Stars begin campaign with defeat
The reported challenges emerged during South Sudan’s opening Group A fixture against hosts Rwanda at Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
The Young Bright Stars lost the match 1–0 as they began their campaign in the 2026 CAF U17 AFCON qualifiers, CECAFA Zone, in Rwanda.
South Sudan and Rwanda are in Group A alongside Sudan. The status of the affected players remains subject to clarification from the relevant football authorities.
Sports Hunter South Sudan will update this report if SSFF, CECAFA or CAF provides further information.
