South Sudan’s 2019 Afcon qualifying chances come crashing down

Tuesday Oct 16, 2018. 17:48

South Sudan’s chances of qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations came crashing down after losing 1-0 to Gabon in a Group C match at the Juba Stadium on Tuesday.

It has been four losses from four matches for South Sudan who sit bottom of their qualifying group with zero points and two matches to play.

The win for Gabon takes them up second in Group C on six points alongside Burundi (who drew 1-1 with Mali on Tuesday as well), but with a superior goal difference. Mali top the standings with eight points.

The game itself at Jabu Stadium on Tuesday failed to produce any goals in the opening with both sides poor in the final half and squandering possession with bad passing.

The home side did see more of the ball, but they could not break down the Gabon defence and had to resort to shooting from long range with very little success.

Gabon, though, broke the deadlock two minutes into the second thanks to a strike from Andre Poke, 1-0.

South Sudan tried to find their way back into the match, but offered very little threat in attack and consequently shied away into a defeat which ends their chances of qualification for the Afcon tournament next year.

The result for Gabon, though, coupled with Burundi’s 1-1 draw against Mali in the other Group C games means their chances of qualification for the 2019 Afcon are well and truly alive.