National team leaves for Kampala

National team have left for Kampala today morning ahead of their first ever Cecafa appearance on Saturday against Ethiopia at Namboole Stadium.

15 players and four officials boded at Juba International airport with five other players including the skipper Richard Justin, James Joseph and two US based players Kone James together with Suleiman Martin to join the team in Kampala.

In an exclusive interview with Eye Radio at Juba airport, Coach Zoran said the enthusiasm, inspiration and moral is real high among amidst his players and he promised to come back from the tournament with a different image of South Sudan.

The players that jetted from Juba airport include Al Hilal Omdurman goalie Juma Genaro, Ahli Shendi defender Zachariah Atanasio and Wau Salam’s skipper Khamis Liano.

New Jerseys arrive at Juba International Airport

South Sudan Football Association officials have received national team equipment ahead of their trip to Kampala for the upcoming cecafa tournament.

The equipment which includes two sets of national team jerseys and truck suits were produced by Netherlands’ based sportswear manufacturers Hummel.

The team is expected to leave on Thursday for Kampala to take part in their first ever cecafa appearance as they take on Ethiopia in the opening game of the tournament on Saturday at Namboole stadium.

Atlabara FC are the champions of Juba Local League

Atlabara football club are the Juba Local League champions for 2012 after finishing on the top of the league table with 40 points.

The South Sudan Cup Champions El Nasir finished second with 39 points followed by 2010 Champions Melakia FC with 33, sensational Rain Bow comes forth with 28 and Al Hilal ends the top five with 21 points.

Talanga football club has been relegated to second division league after finishing 10^th with 13 points.

Talanga who were promoted this season to the top flight League endured a terrible campaign.

Coach Zoran challenges government to invest in sports

South Sudan national football team head Coach Zoran Djordjevic calls on government and all stakeholders to invest in sports and more especially in football as being the leading sports.

Since taking over as the head coach, the Serbia tactician had only one international friendly game under his belt against Uganda due to financial problems and lack of proper sports facilities.

In an exclusive interview with Eye Radio yesterday, the 15 time champion says he is ready to fight for better sports facilities in the country.

Zoran who had been successful in 14 countries is ready to prove what he has for South Sudan during the upcoming cecafa tournament despite a short time for preparation.

The players are expect to undergo medical check-up today and tomorrow in Juba before starting serious training sessions.

S. Sudan final squad for cecafa announced

South Sudan national team head Coach Zoran Djordjevic has officially announced his 20-man squad for the upcoming Cecafa today.

The list includes new names like the Central defender of El Nasir FC the South Sudan Cup Champions Miskeen Emmanuel, and Ahly Shendi attacker Zachariah Atanasio.

The squad also boosts of experienced players like the skipper Richard Justin, striker James Joseph Moga who plays in Indian League with Pune FC and Al Hilal Omdurman goalkeeper Juma Genaro.

In his statement to the press, Coach Zoran Djordjevic says he believes in the players that he has chosen to represent South Sudan for the first time in international tournament.

Although the Serbian tactician showed dissatisfaction with the team selection saying that it is not yet the best team of South Sudan since he was unable to select players from other parts of the country due to in-accessibility of the areas.

Zoran also extends his condolence to the family of Luis William Maker who passed away yesterday in Juba.

William who died of Malaria and Typhoid was buried today in his homeland, Rumbek and former Bangladesh manager challenges his players to dedicate the tournament to Luis William Maker.

Here is the full list; Juma Genaro (gk), Deng Atiti (gk),

Defenders: Miskeen Emmanuel, Jackson Mubaraka, Richard Justin, Thomas Jacob Mathew, Hassan Rifaya, Villion Silvestre Nimeri, Suleiman Martin

Midfielders: Atak Luwal, Khamis Martin, Jimmy Tombe, Johnson Deng, Adnan Nan, Atir Thomas

Strikers: Kone James, James Joseph Moga, Khamis Liano

S. Sudanese striker has passed away this morning

South Sudanese international striker Luis William Maker passed away this morning at a clinic in Gudele.

The 30-year-old Al Hilal attacker had been suffering from Malaria and Typhoid for the past four days, Al Hilal officials told Eye Radio today.

With the draws for CECFA out yesterday, this comes as a big blow for the national team Coach Zoran Djordjevic who had William’s name on his provisional squad for the tournament this month.

Luis William Maker was part of the team that played in a 2-2 draw friendly game with Uganda three months ago.

Al Hilal club is preparing to take his body to Rumbek and prayers will be held at Hilal headquarters in Juba on Saturday.

Cecafa draw extended by four days

Tusker Cecafa Cup draws meant to be held on November 8 in Kampala have been pushed ahead by four days.

This was released by Rogers Mulindwa Cecafa media officer, to the media in Kampala, Uganda.

The tournament that runs from November 24 to December 8 at Kampala’s Mandela National Stadium Namboole will now have its draws conducted on 12^th of this month.

When the tournament kicks off, Uganda will not only be looking to defend the title but to win it for a record breaking 13^th time.

In related development, Somalia will be the earliest country to arrive in Kampala for Cecafa as they will touch down at Entebbe Airport on November 8 but will hope they are not the first to return home.

The Ocean Stars are already booked at the Mandela Hotel Namboole and will be camped there until the eve of the tournament.

11 Cecafa countries have confirmed participation so far in the tournament apart from Djibouti.

47 Coaches undergoing training to attain certificate C

47 local Coaches across all the 10 States of South Sudan is undergoing training in Juba to attain certificate C in coaching.

The training which is organized by Juba Local Football Association started last Sunday and will run till the 7^th of November.

The training is aimed at equipping the Local Coaches with advance skills so as to improve on their coaching techniques.

Certificate C holders, are capable of handling first division teams in top flight Leagues in the Country.

This training is also aimed at preparing the coaches for the planned South Sudan Premier League beginning in 2013.

fifa to send high delegation to assess crisis at SSFA

South Sudan Football Association received a letter yesterday from FIFA indicating that a high level delegation from the world football governing body will be coming to Juba this Sunday.

The visit is to come and assess the current crisis in South Sudan Football Association.

FA’s board of directors suspended the Chairman two weeks ago on allegations that he suspended his vice Chairman without the notice of the board of directors.

Among the delegates coming is the regional CECAFA president Edgar Tenga.

Talking to eye radio yesterday on phone, suspended Chairman Mr Chabur Goc Alei claimed that FIFA, Confederation of African Football and CECAFA still recognizes him as the official Chairman of South Sudan Football Association.

Lake State FA Chairman suspended

South Sudan Football Association’s acting President Mr Yohanis Musa Pouk confirmed the one year suspension of the Lake State’s FA Chairman.

Mohamed Abdullah Mambei was suspended on Monday by the FA’s board of Directors on allegations of money mismanagement.

Lake State Football Association claims that Mr Mohamed Abdullah misused 16,700 South Sudanese Pounds without proper accountability.

But Mohamed has denied all the charges labeled against him and a committee has been formed to investigate the case.

Talking to Eye Radio yesterday, SSFA acting president Yohanis acknowledged the suspension saying that Lake State FA is real doing what they are supposed to do and it is in accordance with the statutes and rules of South Sudan Football Association.