South Sudan’s Under-17 national football team has overcome a significant hurdle, arriving in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations. The team faced a delay due to a nationwide passport shortage but departed Juba on November 11 after securing temporary travel documents, enabling participation in the tournament starting November 15.
The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) collaborated with authorities to resolve the passport crisis, a persistent challenge for the young nation since gaining independence in 2011. The team, placed in Group A with hosts Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Rwanda, is set to face Somalia in their opening match in Addis Ababa, with further games hosted in Dire Dawa.
This logistical triumph comes amid ongoing sports infrastructure struggles, including a 2023 AFCON U17 disqualification for age fraud and recent travel disruptions for the senior team during World Cup qualifiers. The successful arrival signals hope for the Bright Stars, who have undergone MRI age testing to strengthen their youth program. With the qualifiers offering a vital path to the continental stage, South Sudan aims to showcase its emerging football talent.
