South Sudan on road to football recognition

LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP)—South Sudan will be proposed as a member of the Confederation of African Football on Friday as it begins the process to become world football’s newest nation.

CAF says the state’s newly formed football federation will be considered for membership at its General Assembly in Libreville, Gabon.

South Sudan gained independence in July last year, and the South Sudan Football Association is seeking similar recognition from CAF and, eventually, world body FIFA.

South Sudan’s national team played games against club teams from Kenya and Uganda last year to celebrate the country’s independence but is yet to play a full international.

It needs to become a member of CAF and FIFA before it can try to qualify for the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup.