Greater Oronyo Football Club, also known as American Otuho, won the 10th edition of the Monyiemiji Football Tournament on Saturday after beating Imurok Community FC 4-0 in the final in Torit, Eastern Equatoria state.
Greater Oronyo dominated the match at Freedom Square, scoring four unanswered goals to claim the championship trophy.
The tournament brought together 34 teams representing different communities and was held under the theme “Sport for Peace and Unity”.
The final was attended by football supporters, community leaders, government officials and sports representatives.
Torit Municipal Council Mayor Eddy William Ponsiano said the tournament demonstrated the role football could play in bringing communities together.
“I don’t support one of them, but I support all of them. I am happy that the two clubs are from my county, Torit County,” Ponsiano said.
He called on the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) to support the construction of a modern stadium in Torit, saying the town had land available for sports infrastructure.
“We have enough playing grounds and enough land. We are ready to provide. We are calling on the South Sudan Football Federation to construct a stadium in Torit,” he said.
Monyiemiji Football Association President David Okimo said the decision to bring the final from Juba to Torit was aimed at taking the tournament’s message of peace and unity closer to the communities where it operates.
“The purpose of bringing this tournament final to Torit is to promote peace and unity for which the tournament was initiated,” Okimo said.
He said the tournament provided an opportunity for young people and other community members to participate in and witness grassroots football.
Okimo thanked the state government, the State Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the Torit Football Association, organisers, sponsors and supporters for supporting the tournament.
He said the Monyiemiji Football Association, established in 1994, had expanded its grassroots football activities, with 34 teams taking part in this year’s competition, compared with 32 in the previous edition.
SSFF President Amin Francis praised Eastern Equatoria for hosting the final and said the federation would work with the state government to improve football facilities in Torit.
“We will work closely with the government to make sure this place is developed. You need a changing room and other facilities,” Francis said.
He said the federation also wanted to strengthen football associations outside the capital, Juba.
Eastern Equatoria’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Akileo Mboya Peter Anyanga, said the tournament showed how sport could promote discipline, teamwork and tolerance.
“Sport is more than competition; it is a powerful tool for promoting peace and strengthening unity among communities,” Akileo said.
Governor Louis Lobong Lojore congratulated both teams and urged players and supporters to use football to strengthen relations among communities.
“There is no politics in this game,” Lobong said, urging participants to promote peace and friendship.
The governor also said hosting the tournament had benefited businesses in Torit, with hotels and other businesses seeing increased activity during the event.
The final marked the first time the Monyiemiji tournament championship match was held in Torit, which organisers regard as the home of the football and cultural movement.
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