South Sudan picks teenagers in 23 men their squad

Africa Cup of Nations trophy

Saturday Nov 02, 2019. 16:00

Two teenagers sent to South Korea on an exchange programme to develop their footballing skills have won a call-up to South Sudan’s squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi and Burkina Faso.

The 19-year-old defender Pal Paul Puk Kun and attacking midfielder Martin Sawi have both since signed for Goyang Citizen in the fourth tier of Korean football and were named in a 28-man squad at the start of the race for places at Cameroon 2021.

South Sudan advanced to Group B, where Uganda also compete, after edging the Seychelles 3-1 on aggregate in their two-legged play-off tie in October.

There is also another call-up for Australia under-23 international defender Ruon Tongyik, who had been named in the squads for World Cup qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea in September and for the Cup of Nations preliminary round tie against the Seychelles but did not travel, as well as fellow A-League teammate Abraham Majok.

South Sudanese players based in Australia have featured heavily in the South Sudan squad over their last four matches and there are 12 in the latest batch of call-ups by coach Ashu Cyprian Besong.

Striker Valentino Yuel from Western United, the new team in the A-League who are from Melbourne, has received a first call-up.

South Sudan are due to face Malawi away in Blantyre in their opening Group B match on November 13 and then host Burkina Faso six days later.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Michael Marko Magut (Amarat United), Majak Mawith (Port Melbourne Sharks, Australia), Ramadan John Mayik (Rabita FC),

Defenders: John Kuol Chol (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Peter Deng (Heidelberg United, Australia), Dominic Angelo Komelid (Munuki FC), Pal Paul Puk Kun (Goyang Citizen, South Korea), Peter Maker Manyang (Amarat United), Mathiang Mathiang (Brunswick City, Australia), David Omot Sebit (Al Merreikh Juba), Ruon Tongyik (Central Coast Mariners, Australia)

Midfielders: Yach Mayom Bol (Geelong SC, Australia), Dhour Chol (Moreland Zebras, Australia), Koang Thok Kerjok (Al Hilal Kadougli, Sudan), Jackson Morgan (Stirling Lions, Australia), Jose Kuch Nyuar (Amarat United), Jimmy Michael Omer (Atlabara FC), Stephen Pawar (Amarat United), Martin Sawi (Goyang Citizen, South Korea), Emmanuel Thomas (Amarat United)

Forwards: Kenny Athiu (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Dau Chok Daniel Chol (Inglewood United, Australia), David Majak (Tusker FC, Kenya), Abraham Majok (Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Yacoub Mustafa (Perth SC, Australia), Khamis Leon Uso (Al Merreikh Juba), Makueth Wol (Mbarara, Uganda), Valentino Yuel (Western United, Australia).