South Sudan eyes AFCON 2021 success after World Cup dream ends prematurely

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JUBA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan has ramped up preparations for their upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2021 qualifiers match against Seychelles next month.

The east African country is seeking to rejuvenate from a poor run of seven defeats and one draw, following last week's elimination in the first round of African qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar by Equatorial Guinea.

Venansio Amum, vice president of the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA), said the football governing body would provide the required support to ensure that the national team improves their performance in the preliminary rounds of the ACFON against Seychelles scheduled for Oct. 7.

"The SSFA will do what is necessary to make our team strong for the next match against Seychelles in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifications," Amum said in a statement on Sunday.

Winners of the match will join Burkina Faso, Uganda and Malawi in Group B of the qualifiers. The AFCON 2021 finals will be held in Cameroon.

The game will be another test for the Bright Stars to excel past the group stage of the continental showpiece after several futile attempts since becoming a full FIFA member in July 2012.

South Sudan failed to qualify for the 2019 tournament in Egypt, losing all qualifier games in Group C. Enditem