By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Premier League is gaining momentum after its successful launch.
Five games have been played in the first week of the competition, with two matches involving Al-Hilal-Wau and the Nile City of Yambio, and Olympic FC-Renk and Holy Family FC from Rumbek, postponed.
Juba Local Football Association South Sudan Cup 2024/25 Champions and South Sudan Super Cup holders, Jamus FC, were the most impressive performers in the opening week, hammering Bentiu City FC 5-1 on Christmas Day.
Other teams that secured victories in the opening week include Malakia FC, Kator FC from Juba, Lion Hunters from Yei, and Koryom FC of Bor.
However, the focus now shifts to the second week of the competition as Juba Local Football Association’s traditional rivals, Malakia FC and Kator FC, will clash today at Juba National Stadium at 3:00 PM CAT in what is being billed as the “South Sudan Premier League Derby” due to both teams originating from Kator Payam.
The last time these two teams met was in the 2024/25 season South Sudan Cup in the Juba Local Football Association Premier League.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Kator FC advancing on penalties. However, Malakia FC filed a complaint against Kator FC, protesting the participation of Malish Joseph Magong. Malakia FC subsequently won the case.
Unfortunately, Kator FC appealed the decision, and the committee ruled that the issue involving Magong was an “administrative fault” of the competition organizing committee. Consequently, the game was ordered to be replayed, which Malakia FC won 2-1 in the semi-final of the South Sudan Cup.
In the 2023/24 Konyo-Konyo Premier League, Kator FC defeated Malakia FC 1-0.
However, Malakia FC launched a petition again to the Juba Local Football Association Steering Committee, challenging the eligibility of Kator FC player Sabir Mutwakil, who had not completed his transfer from Malakia FC Juba to Kator FC during the December 2023 transfer window.
Kator FC argued that they signed the player after he was released by Malakia FC. However, Malakia FC contended that Sabir was a registered player in the Somalia Premier League, and his transfer documents were not finalized at the time of his signing by Malakia FC.
The Steering Committee ruled in favor of Malakia FC, prompting Kator FC to appeal. However, they lost both the appeal to the Steering Committee and the subsequent appeal to the South Sudan Football Association Appeal Committee. Ultimately, the match result was overturned in favor of Malakia FC, 2-0.
Today’s clash promises to be a historic encounter in the South Sudan Premier League as both teams aim to showcase their recent transfer signings on the pitch.
Malakia FC will be welcoming back Head Coach Omar Abdulla, who missed the club’s last two matches in the South Sudan Cup final defeat to Jamus and the 2-0 victory against Al-Merriekh FC in the opening match of the South Sudan Premier League while attending a Coaching License A training course in Kampala-Uganda.
It remains uncertain whether Malakia FC will field their new December signings, midfielders Madungu Mawongo and Kabwansongo Ngal, who were acquired from B.S. Benefica and FC Blessing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, respectively.
On the other hand, Kator FC will have to adapt to life without their key midfielder, Malish Joseph (Magong), who transferred to Jamus FC Juba in the ongoing transfer window for a reported fee of $10,000.
However, the club has strengthened its squad with the signings of Solomon Akodi and Eliah Aalloh from Lugazi FC and Amarat United FC, respectively, for undisclosed fees.
Other notable signings by Kator FC include David Sebit (striker) from Amarat United, David Manager from Jamus FC, (Midfielder) Waswa Hassan from KCCA FC (Defender), Vitali Saddam from Gudele FC (Defender) and Ocholit Ivan from Rutsro FC (Striker).