By Kei Emmanuel Duku
It was a busy day for administrators at the Juba Local Football Association and SSFA as clubs from various divisions flocked to the secretariat’s office to sign and register new players before the midnight deadline.
Ahead of the second round of fixtures in the first division, scheduled to commence mid-January, Simba FC strengthened their squad by acquiring the signature of Paul Alan Gomez.
The Senegalese striker previously played for Jamus FC and guided the Buffalos to their first-ever South Sudan Cup at the Juba Local Football Association and the National Super Cup 2024/25.
Gomez was named Player of the Match during the Buffalos’ 2-1 victory over Al-Merriekh FC Bentiu in the South Sudan Super Cup played at Juba Stadium.
However, the management of Simba FC did not disclose the contract terms between Gomez and the club.
Another significant transfer within the Juba Local Premier League saw Munuki FC secure the signature of Peter Anthony Laku from Kator FC on a one-year contract.
Laku previously played for Al-Nasir Football Club and joined Munuki FC, the “Snakes,” after his contract with Kator FC expired.
Additionally, Munuki FC bolstered its defense by signing Future Stars Football Academy (FSFA) graduate Nelson Swaka on the deadline day.
The left-back joined Munuki FC, the 2021/22 Juba Local Premier League champions, from Kator FC for an unspecified number of years.
Other notable signings by Munuki FC include Redento Paulino Lokira, who joined the club from Jamus FC on a two-year contract.
Meanwhile, on the deadline day, Viva Star FC signed Riek Pur on a four-year contract after his return to Juba from an extended vacation in Kampala, Uganda.
Another player joining Pur at Viva Stars FC is David Tombe. Tombe, a midfielder, signed from Bridge Football Academy for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.
Also joining Tombe and Pur at Viva Stars FC are Emmanuel Ladu and former Malakia FC captain Abdallah Alhaj.
hey completed their transfers from Gumbo FC and Malakia FC, respectively, on the last day of the transfer window for unspecified and four-year terms.
At Viva Stars, the duo will play as a center-back and midfielder, respectively.
In transfer activity involving top-flight clubs in the South Sudan Premier League, following their 2-1 defeat to Malakia FC in the opening fixtures, Al-Merriekh FC Bentiu signed six players ahead of their next fixture against Nile City of Yambio in Juba Stadium on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Nelson Victor, a South Sudan national team player, joined Al-Merriekh FC from Munuki FC after his contract expired.
Some of the other notable signings include Rehan Angier, Samuel Akinbinu, Pasqual, Alamain Saiyied, and Aluke Akech.
Meanwhile, the club also extended the contracts of three other players: Omer Solon, Yoal Lual, and Sherriff Tuffa.
South Sudan Premier League favorites, Jamus FC, concluded the transfer window by acquiring the services of Mvuyejure Emmanuel, who joined the Buffalos from Rayon Sports Club of Rwanda for undisclosed fees and a specified contract period.
Emmanuel has captained the Burundi National Team in several competitions.
At Jamus FC, he will be joined by forward Agumemboki Felix Abisha, a South Sudan U20 national team striker, who signed a two-year deal.
Abisha previously played for Jeenyo FC in the Somalia Premier League.