Gor Mahia midfielder Jackson Dwang was handed a starting role as South Sudan delivered a dominant performance to defeat Djibouti 4-0 in their CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 Preliminary Round first-leg clash in Juba.
The convincing victory gives South Sudan a commanding advantage heading into the return leg, which will also be played on home soil, placing them in a strong position to progress to the next stage of the qualifiers.
South Sudan signaled their intent early in the match, pressing aggressively and controlling possession against a Djibouti side that struggled to cope with their tempo and attacking movement.
Their breakthrough came in the 31st minute, when Justin Bangasi set up Teng Kuol to open the scoring, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Despite continued pressure from the hosts, Djibouti managed to limit further damage before halftime, going into the break trailing by just one goal and still within reach of a comeback.
However, South Sudan returned for the second half with renewed intensity and quickly put the game beyond doubt.
Bangasi doubled the lead in the 49th minute, finishing off a well-crafted move initiated by the influential Keer Majak, who proved to be the standout performer on the night.
Majak continued to pull the strings in attack and registered his second assist in the 66th minute, setting up Peter Manyang to make it 3-0.
The forward then crowned his impressive display with a goal of his own in the 81st minute, sealing a comprehensive victory for the hosts.
Majak Stars, Dwang Solid
Keer Majak’s contribution of one goal and two assists underlined his importance to the South Sudan attack, while Jackson Dwang put in a disciplined performance in midfield, helping maintain structure and control throughout the match.
His inclusion highlights the growing impact of players from Gor Mahia on the international stage, particularly in regional competitions.
What Next?
Djibouti now face an uphill battle, needing a dramatic turnaround in the second leg to keep their AFCON 2027 hopes alive.
For South Sudan, the focus will be on maintaining composure and finishing the job in Juba as they edge closer to securing a place in the AFCON qualification group stage.
Match Highlights
FT: South Sudan 4-0 Djibouti
Scorers: Teng Kuol (31’), Justin Bangasi (49’), Peter Manyang (66’), Keer Majak (81’)
Assists: Keer Majak (2), Justin Bangasi (1)
Venue: Juba
