South Sudan triumphed over the Republic of Congo 3-2 in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, marking their first win in Group K. Coach Nicholas Dupuis praised his team’s performance despite early setbacks, while Coach Isaac Ngata of Congo criticized defensive lapses. South Sudan’s morale is uplifted as they prepare to face South Africa next, while Congo faces challenges in maintaining concentration and defensive integrity.
On November 15, 2024, South Sudan achieved a significant milestone in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, by winning their first match in Group K against the Republic of Congo with a score of 3-2. South Sudan’s head coach, Nicholas Dupuis, expressed great pride in his players’ performance, particularly their resilience after conceding an early goal in the first half. The decisive victory was marked by two crucial goals in the second half, and Dupuis commended his team for their effort, noting the potential for even greater success in future matches. In the post-match press conference in Juba, Coach Dupuis emphasized the need for improved defense on dead ball situations, while also reflecting on the confidence boost this victory provided ahead of their next challenge against South Africa. He stated, “I am very proud of my players; we are going to play South Africa next, which is a good team, but we are going to play to learn.” Meanwhile, Republic of Congo’s head coach, Isaac Ngata, lamented the defensive errors that ultimately led to his team’s downfall, particularly in moments of lapse in concentration following their initial leads. Ngata indicated a long-standing issue with the team’s offensive performance, having struggled to score more than one goal in previous qualifiers. He pointed out that their inability to maintain focus allowed South Sudan to capitalize on opportunities, leading to a frustrating defeat.
The match between South Sudan and the Republic of Congo was a crucial fixture in the ongoing qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON, an esteemed professional football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). South Sudan, having previously struggled in the group, was seeking to recover its standing after securing a place in the second round of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) following a victorious aggregate over Kenya. The competitive landscape in Group K has been intense, with Uganda, South Africa, and the Republic of Congo all striving for qualification alongside South Sudan, which now looks to build upon this recent success.
In conclusion, South Sudan’s victory against the Republic of Congo marks a pivotal moment in their quest for success in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. With commendable performances from the players and strategic insights from Coach Nicholas Dupuis, the team aims to channel this momentum into their next match against South Africa. Conversely, the Republic of Congo must address its defensive shortcomings to remain competitive in subsequent fixtures.
Original Source: www.uniindia.com
