Football: Young Stars team crowned champions of South Sudan Cup in Torit

Some players of the Young Stars Women's Football team in Torit town on 10 January 2023. [Photo: Radio Tamazuj]

The Young Stars Women's Football team in Torit town of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State has been crowned the champion of the South Sudan cup in the state capital Torit.

The South Sudan women football competition began in late December 2022. During the finals on Tuesday, the Young Stars Women's team beat their opponents Hineti Women Football Club 2-1.

 According to the Torit Local Football Association, the winners will represent the state in Juba for the South Sudan Championship which will bring teams from across the country. 

Speaking while handing the cup at Torit Freedom Square, the president of Torit Local Football Association, Mr. Akile Maridi, expressed his gratitude and congratulated the two teams for participating since the start of the tournament.

“Today we are all very happy because is a big day for all of us at Torit local football association it is very important for us. I want to say congratulations to all teams that participated in the women's South Sudan Cup and I want to tell you congrats to the winning team and you should prosper ahead, we have something important ahead of us," he said. 

Viola Idaha, the captain of the Young Stars team, said the team will train hard to win any other tournaments. 

“We just need serious training and we shall win. We are calling on our coaches to give us serious training and we cannot disappoint our people, we will continue winning to gain support from our fans," she declared. 

Marta Machakos, the captain of the Hineti Women's Football Club encouraged her teammates saying losing a game is normal and that they should continue training for better results in the future. 

“We should not focus on our loss today because football is a rotational game, today they win tomorrow we will win," she said. "My encouragement is that we continue to train."

The final match drew thousands of spectators including youths, non-governmental organizations, and government officials. 

Eastern Equatoria State governor Louis Lobong Lojore who watched the game, urged the coach of the Young Stars team to properly prepare the team for the national league in Juba. 

“All of you have missed a lot of chances so if you are going to play in Juba like this, then you will fail us. So, coaches of both teams you need to train these players to bring the goals but congratulations," he said.  

Governor Lobong added, "I came here to encourage you, and rest assured that you have our support and we will continue to support you and we pray that you bring for us the cup."