Stalemate in Juba: South Sudan and Togo Share Points as World Cup Dreams Fade in Goalless Draw

Under the sweltering glare of the midday sun in Juba Stadium, South Sudan and Togo played out a match that offered more resistance than reward, a goalless draw that mirrored the subdued conclusion to their respective World Cup qualification journeys. The final whistle signaled not only the end of 90 tense minutes but also the closing chapter of a campaign that has, for both teams, been defined more by struggle than triumph.

The opening moments set the tone—cautious, nervy, no quarter given. South Sudan, still recovering from the psychological and tactical bruising handed down by Senegal in a punishing 0-5 defeat three days earlier, took the pitch with a reshuffled lineup under interim stewardship. Nicolas Dupuis, the French coach suspended following controversial remarks about unpaid wages, was conspicuously absent, leaving the Bright Stars in the hands of caretaker manager Simon James Yor. Yor had promised changes, and they came: a more compact midfield and a defense anchored by Majak Maling and Okocha Rashid, whose determination never wavered even as Togo pressed for the breakthrough.

For Togo, the assignment was clear—redeem a qualifying sequence marred by inconsistency, most recently a narrow 0-1 defeat to Congo DR. Entering the match with 8 points from 10 games and sitting fifth in Group B, the Togolese squad knew that pride, rather than progression, was at stake. Their approach reflected this reality: patient in possession, measured in attack, unwilling to risk more than necessary against a South Sudan side desperate to avoid further embarrassment.

Despite the lack of scoring, the match was not bereft of drama. In the 32nd minute, South Sudan’s Chol Peter nearly carved his name into local folklore with a looping volley that grazed the top netting, a rare flash of creativity in a half dominated by midfield skirmishes. Togo countered, their captain Placca Fessou leading a swift incursion that drew a desperate clearance from Rashid. The physicality was relentless—Chan Peter and Mandela Malish combined for 21 fouls across both teams before halftime, testament to the match’s intensity and the stakes swirling beneath the surface.

With neither side able to break the deadlock, both managers turned to their benches. South Sudan introduced Valentino Yuel in the 67th minute, injecting pace and purpose on the right flank, while Togo brought on youngster Kodjo Adaba, seeking fresh legs to exploit tired defenders. The best chance of the second half fell to Togo: in the 81st minute, a whipped cross from the left found Bilal Akoro unmarked at the far post, only for his header to ripple harmlessly into the side netting. Juba Stadium, its crowd subdued but hopeful, roared in frustrated anticipation.

As time ebbed away, tempers frayed and yellow cards followed—South Sudan’s Peter Chan and Togo’s Moussaf Adjak were both cautioned in the dying minutes, the only formal reprimands in a match marked by robust, if rarely reckless, defending. The final whistle ended the deadlock, and with it, the World Cup qualifying hopes for both teams.

Context shaped every moment of today’s fixture. South Sudan’s campaign has been defined by adversity: four points from ten matches, no wins, and the poorest goal difference in Group B, a reflection of both squad inexperience and the painful learning curve of continental competition. Togo, meanwhile, finish with eight points, a solitary win against Sudan providing their lone highlight in an otherwise patchwork run of losses and draws. For both, qualification hopes were dashed weeks ago, transforming this encounter into an exercise in resilience—a last chance to salvage dignity and momentum ahead of future campaigns.

In the brief shared history between these sides—their only prior meeting, a 1-1 draw in Lomé last June—the theme of parity remained unbroken. Today’s draw, their second in as many meetings, reinforces the sense of rivalry that could shape encounters going forward, even if silverware and qualification remain distant prospects.

Looking ahead, both teams face pressing questions. South Sudan must rebuild, drawing lessons from defeat and managerial tumult, and nurture the next generation of Bright Stars. With Dupuis still suspended and the local federation scrambling for stability, every friendly and qualifier becomes a crucible for development. Togo, likewise, must reflect—how to transform isolated moments of promise into sustained progress? Their technical discipline in Juba was evident, but turning draws into wins will be the next frontier.

The Juba sun set on a match that, for all its lack of scoring, revealed the heart and hope animating football’s farthest frontiers. Neither South Sudan nor Togo will grace the World Cup stage next summer, but on a day when pride was all that remained, both walked away with theirs intact—if not entirely satisfied.