South Sudan showcased resilience by overcoming an initial deficit to defeat Tanzania with a scoreline of 2-1 in a thrilling Cecafa U18 encounter at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County.
Having suffered a defeat in their opening match against Zanzibar, South Sudan was determined to restore their standing in the tournament. Tanzania took the lead with a 40th-minute goal from John Misheto, putting them in a favorable position.
However, South Sudan mounted a comeback in the second half. Ngong Garang leveled the score in the 70th minute, connecting with a corner delivered by Mario Taban.
The winning goal came from Christopher Ungom, who skillfully tapped the ball into the net after receiving a pass from Daniel Dang, evading two defenders.
The victory for South Sudan adds three crucial points to their tally, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive pool. Tanzania, despite the loss, remains in contention, and their coach, Habibu Kondo, expressed confidence in reaching the semifinals, emphasizing the need for the team to stay committed.
Meanwhile, winning coach James Ezekiel Ismail praised his team’s well-deserved victory and highlighted their preparations, expressing optimism for further success in the upcoming matches.
The Cecafa U18 pool remains open, promising more intense competition as the teams vie for a spot in the semifinals.
