By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan National Team, the Bright Stars came from behind to beat Congo Brazzaville 3:2 on Thursday at Juba Stadium.
This is the first victory for the Bright Stars in the CAF 2025 AFCON quantifiers TotalEnergies to be hosted in Morocco.
Congo Brazzaville took an early lead through Christopher Ibayi in the 26th minute of within first half with a brilliant header, however, six minutes later Jumus FC striker Ezibon Malish responded with a fine header too.
Knowing that Uganda will host South Africa tomorrow at Mandela National Stadium, Congo Brazzaville needed the win more than South Sudan, and a win against South Sudan would have moved them to 7 points and a point behind South Africa.
Before the end of the first half, Christopher Ibayi took his second goal against South Sudan in the 35th Minute, but in what appears to be a race for sharpness and efficiency in front of the goal, Ezibon Malish equally scored his second goal of the evening to deny the visitors half time lead.
Ezibon Malish Wajo has now scored four goals for the Bright Stars in the three matches.
In the 89th Minute, Data Elly Christopher netted his first goal of the competition and secured the first victory for the Bright Stars after four straight defeats in the AFCON 2025 Qualifiers.
While in Congo Brazzaville in September, South Sudan lost the opening fixtures of the AFCON qualifiers by a 1:0 before continuing to lose to South Africa and Uganda Cranes both home and away.
Despite yesterday’s victory against Congo Brazzaville, the Bright Stars remain bottom of Group K of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
With the defeat to South Sudan, automatically, Uganda Cranes and South Africa have qualified for the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco while South Sudan and Congo Brazzaville crushed out of the tournament.
Up next for the Bright Stars, will be travelling to Durban, South Africa for their last qualifying AFCON fixtures while Congo Brazzaville will be hosting Uganda Cranes at home next week.
AFCON 2025 qualifiers Table Standing for Group K.
1. Uganda 4 3 1 0 7 3 +4 10
2. South Africa 4 2 2 0 11 5 +6 8
3. Congo Brazzaville 5 1 1 2 3 8 -5 4
4. South Sudan 5 0 1 4 3 7 -3 3