WCQ 2026: South Sudan target shock Senegal victory

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Thursday Oct 09, 2025. 13:00

South Sudan will be looking to cause a major upset when they take on a much-fancied Senegal side in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (Group B) match on Friday.

Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.

The game is scheduled to be played at the 10,000-capacity venue, Juba Stadium in Juba, which is the capital and largest city of South Sudan, and it is situated on the White Nile.

The Bright Stars are winless in their last five matches across all competitions as they drew 0-0 with Mauritania in a Group B match on September 9 and it was the second draw in their last three games.

South Sudan are occupying the sixth spot in the Group B standings, having collected four points from eight games and the East African side have already been eliminated coming into this game.

South Sudan have been boosted by the arrival of their foreign-based stars Tito Okello (Abelashhar, Libya) and Atendele Mawa (NEC, Uganda), who finally joined the team’s camp on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Senegal are undefeated in their last three matches across all competitions, having claimed a 3-2 win over DR Congo in a Group B clash on September 9 and it was their third successive victory.

The Lions of Teranga find themselves placed at the top of the Group B standings, having accumulated 18 points from eight games and the West African side will qualify if they collect four points from their last two games.

“The players deserve praise, but nothing is done yet because there are still two matches left,” Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw told reporters after the win over DR Congo.

“We have two more finals to play and we’re going to give it everything to reach the next World Cup.”

Senegal have had to make changes in their squad as Habib Diallo joined the team’s camp in South Sudan on Monday, replacing Boulaye Dia, who is injured.

South Sudan and Senegal have met once across all competitions following their maiden meeting in November 2023.

The 2026 World Cup qualifier ended in a 4-0 win in favour of the Lions of Teranga at the Diamniadio Olympic Stadium in Senegal