An aerial view of Juba National Stadium. [Photo: Courtesy]JUBA — The South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) has announced that the country’s upcoming TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preliminary qualifier matches against Djibouti will be played behind closed doors at Juba National Stadium, in a move expected to disappoint local fans.
In a statement issued on Friday, the federation confirmed that the two fixtures are scheduled for 26 and 29 March 2026, as South Sudan begins its bid to progress in the continental competition.
“The South Sudan Football Federation wishes to inform the general public, football fans, and all stakeholders about the upcoming TotalEnergies AFCON preliminary qualifier matches between South Sudan and Djibouti, which will be played on 26th and 29th March 2026 at Juba National Stadium,” the statement said.
However, SSFF clarified that the matches will be played without spectators in compliance with directives from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), not as a result of any disciplinary action against the country.
“Following CAF directives, both matches will be played behind closed doors without fans. This is not due to any sanction against SSFF. Only accredited media will be allowed in the stadium. No tickets will be sold,” the federation explained.
The restriction means that supporters will not be able to attend the matches in person, despite growing enthusiasm around the national team and increased attendance at recent fixtures held in Juba. Football has increasingly become a unifying platform in South Sudan, with fans turning out in significant numbers to rally behind the Bright Stars.
To ensure fans remain engaged, the federation encouraged supporters to follow the matches through official online platforms.
“Fans are encouraged to follow the matches through the live stream on our official platforms,” SSFF said, adding that it appreciates the public’s “understanding, cooperation, and continued support” as it works to develop and promote football in the country.
The two-leg encounter against Djibouti is expected to be a critical test for South Sudan, as the team aims to advance beyond the preliminary round and move closer to a historic qualification for the AFCON tournament. A strong performance could further boost confidence in the national squad and signal progress in the country’s football development efforts.
