South Sudan’s first officially recognised game since the country was admitted
into the world governing body Fifa ended in a draw.
Known as the Bright Star, the team drew 2-2 against regional champions Uganda.
The match in the capital, Juba, comes a day after South Sudan marked its first anniversary of
independence from Sudan.
The BBC’s Nyambura Wambugu in Juba says excited crowds, including Ugandans living in South Sudan, attended the match.
Ahead of the game, South Sudan’s newly hired Serbian coach Zoran Djordjevic said his team would give the Cranes a “tough test”.
Djordjevic’s squad has three players from outside South Sudan – striker James Joseph from Gawa FC in India and goalkeeper Jumma Genaro and skipper Richard Justin, who are with sides in Sudan.
Team manager Emmanuel Paulino Alexander told BBC Sport that the majority of players play for local clubs.
Uganda decided to give several of their under-20 players some competitive action as they prepare for a 2013 African Under-20 Championship qualifier against Ghana on 27 July.
South Sudan have already confirmed they
will play in East and Central Africa’s regional championship
– the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup – later this year.
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