By Kei Emmanuel Duku
South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) is preparing to submit its bid to the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) to host the AFCON U-17 regional tournament in Juba.
This decision followed an extraordinary meeting last week, chaired by SSFA President Augustino Madut Parek where the SSFA Board of Directors agreed and instructed the secretariat to finalize the official documentation for submission to the CECAFA administration.
CECAFA President Wallace Karia, who also heads the Tanzania Football Federation while in Juba for the CECFA General Assembly held in January, encouraged the SSFA to bid for regional games, citing South Sudan’s successful hosting of the CECAFA General Assembly. He emphasized that any CECAFA member can bid, but government approval is essential.
Karia stressed the need for South Sudan’s football stakeholders to unite behind the SSFA’s bid,” SSFA has consistently participated in CECAFA tournaments,” he noted.
The growth of the U-17 and U-20 national teams is remarkable. Countries admitted before South Sudan have not achieved this. Hosting events with home support can lead to winning trophies, but community support is vital.
In January, when questioned about hosting CECAFA tournaments, President Parek stated that the SSFA was in advanced negotiations with the South Sudan government.
“Staging a tournament is not conclusive yet, but we are engaging our government,” he said. “The CECAFA administration encouraged us to apply after seeing our stadium, and we will.”
According to the provisional CECAFA tournament calendar, released during the January General Assembly in Juba, the U-17 regional qualifiers are scheduled for November 15-29, 2025.
While the SSFA has not specified venues, Juba Stadium is expected to be a primary location if the bid is approved. The SSFA will also have the opportunity to upgrade other available grounds, such as Isaac Stadium in Wau and the Buluk Training Centre.