By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) Board of Directors approved four additional teams to participate in the historic South Sudan Premier League, scheduled to commence next week.
The decision was made during an extraordinary Board of Directors meeting held on Thursday at the SSFA General Headquarters in Rock City.
The four newly approved teams include Kator FC and Jamus FC from the Juba Local Football Association, as well as Bentiu City and Wajuma FC from the Bentiu and Aweil Local Football Associations, respectively.
This latest expansion brings the total number of participating teams to 14, surpassing the initial target of 10.
According to a statement issued by Victor Lawrence Lual, the association’s General Secretary, the four clubs met the established criteria.
Lual stated that the decision to expand the league aligns with the SSFA’s commitment to improving and promoting competitive leagues nationwide.
The league is officially set to be launched next Saturday, December 21, 2024, followed by a draw and the release of the fixtures. The six-month league is scheduled to kick off on Monday, December 23, 2024, and conclude next June.
To avoid disruptions to the league, the association’s General Secretary urged participating teams to finalize their preparations and adhere to the competition’s rules and guidelines.
Initially, the league was planned for 10 teams drawn from across the 16 local football associations nationwide.
However, public outcry arose regarding the selection criteria, host venues, league duration, and club logistics.