By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan CHAN National Team defeated the Rwanda National Team 3-2 in the second round of the 2024 CHAN Championship zonal qualifiers played at Juba Stadium over the weekend.
The Bright Stars took the lead in the 12th minute of the first half courtesy of an own goal by Rwandan defender Aimable.
Six minutes later, Mandela Nelson, Malakia FC striker, doubled the lead for Coach Nicholas Dupuis’s side, frustrating the visitors as the first half ended 2-0.
In the second half, the Amavubi Stars emerged stronger, and Kevin Muhire restored hope for the visitors by reducing the deficit three minutes into the half.
In a game with numerous goal-scoring opportunities, Jamus FC wingback and striker Elizbon Malish Wajo responded swiftly five minutes later, solidifying his side’s control of the game and providing a crucial advantage ahead of the return leg next week.
As time expired, the visitors desperately sought a victory or a draw. However, South Sudan effectively defended their two-goal lead, and the visitors were unable to find the back of the net after Clement’s 67th-minute goal.
South Sudan holds a slim advantage heading into the second leg fixtures, scheduled for Saturday, December 28, 2024, in the Rwandan capital, Kigali.
South Sudan only needs a draw against Rwanda next week to secure qualification for the final stages of the competition, which will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania from February 4th to 28th, 2025.
Conversely, a 1-0 victory for Rwanda would force a penalty shootout to determine which team advances to the next round.
To reach this stage, South Sudan edged co-host Kenya 3-1 on aggregate, while Rwanda overcame Djibouti with a similar scoreline in the return leg played last month.
This marks the second victory for the Bright Stars at home in the ongoing CHAN Championship qualifiers and are unbeaten in the last three matches. They previously defeated the Harambee Stars of Kenya 2-0 at Juba Stadium in the first round of the preliminary round before drawing 1:1 to Kenya away from home.