CAN 2027 preliminary round: South Sudan humiliate Djibouti on home turf and make a perfect start

Africa 26 March 2026 at 11:07

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

South Sudan made a huge statement by emphatically winning 4-0 away against Djibouti. This dominant performance puts the South Sudanese on the verge of advancing to the next round of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Visiting Djibouti, South Sudan wasted no time asserting their superiority. After a controlled opening half-hour, the visitors broke the deadlock in the 31st minute thanks to newcomer Teng Kuol, who plays for the Marconi Stallions in Australia.

A goal that perfectly capped South Sudan’s dominance and laid the foundation for a victory that was already taking shape.

A one-sided second half

After the break, the game quickly swung decisively in favor of South Sudan. In the 49th minute, Bangasi Bakasoro doubled the lead, putting Djibouti in serious trouble. The home side, completely overwhelmed, conceded a third goal in the 66th minute, struck by Peter Maker Manyang, who hammered in the final nail.

The attacking showcase continued until the 81st minute, when Majak added a fourth to seal a resounding victory.

Qualification all but secured

With this emphatic 4-0 win away from home, South Sudan have pulled off the perfect operation. The South Sudanese take a commanding lead into the return leg in Juba.

Barring an improbable turnaround, they now have one foot firmly in the next round of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Djibouti, meanwhile, will need nothing short of a miracle to overturn this deficit.