Sudan’s national football team has arrived in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, ahead of their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Ethiopia on Friday.
The match will be played at Juba National Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm on 25 September.
Sudan’s football association selected Juba as the venue for its home matches as the conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has disrupted football activities and affected the availability of stadiums in the country.
The Sudanese team was welcomed in Juba by Sudan’s ambassador to South Sudan, Essam El-Din Mohamed Hassan Karrar, along with members of the Sudanese community and South Sudanese supporters.
The Ethiopian team arrived in Juba on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s match.
Sudanese residents in Juba also welcomed their national team, with some describing the visit as a symbol of the close ties between Sudan and South Sudan.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj at Juba Airport, Sudanese artist Mohamed Issa described South Sudan as his “second home” and said sport and the arts could help bring people together.
Yasser Abakar, a Sudanese resident in Juba, thanked the South Sudanese government and people for welcoming the team.
Adam Younis Adam Khater, a Sudan supporter, said fan groups were ready for the match.
Sudan and Ethiopia are in Group J alongside Senegal and Mozambique.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027.
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