2023 U20 AFCON: CAR vs South Sudan Preview, Team News & Prediction

Young Brights Stars, who are competing in their maiden TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, lost their first match 2-1 against the Red Devils of Congo in Group B.

Both sides are seeking their first points of the ongoing tournament in Egypt and James says his team has no other option than to win at the Suez Canal Stadium.

South Sudan coach Peter James is confident they will triumph when they take on Central African Republic on Thursday stressing they need the points more than their opponents.
“Tomorrow’s game to me it’s a one-way game because we did all the necessary preparations to win tomorrow,” James said at the pre-match press conference.

“Mistakes are part of the game. We correct our mistakes, and we try to perform and avoid them in the coming games,” he said.

“Although we had injuries, we will do our best – we have three choices but for us we want to. Tomorrow, we have one option, and we need the points more than them,” he added.

Paul Mara inked his name in the history books of the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations when he scored South Sudan’s first ever goal at the tournament to pull one back against Congo.

The CAR succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Uganda’s Hippos in their first match played at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.

Isma Mugulusi and John Paul Dembe fired the Hippos in front before Boris Gbenou scored a late consolation for Sebastien Ngato’s team.

The Central African Republic are participating in their second TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations following their debut in 2021 where they reached the quarterfinals.

CAR and South Sudan are without a point following respective defeats to Uganda and Congo. Head coach Sebastien Ngato says the match against South Sudan’s Young Bright Stars is a decisive match.

“It’s the second day after we lost the match against Uganda, but this is a very decisive match. The last match was a lesson for us – it was very hard, and we learned from it, and we’re going for a win against South Sudan,” said the Les Fauves boss.

“We prepared well for the match. I know we lost the last match, but the preparations are good and it’s not an option to be ready, we must be ready.”

Both teams will be hoping to get their campaigns back on track to secure a place in the quarterfinals of the 23rd edition of the biennial tournament which also serves as the qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“We’re not here to visit Egypt as tourists, we want to win the tournament. We will regroup to win our match tomorrow and the people back home want us to win and they’re waiting for us to win.

Les Fauves possible starting lineup – Abimala Mauril (GK); Betto, Namgbema, Gbamodo, Koyakogue; Pouguy, Galabazi, Ato-Zandanga, Banam; Gbenou, Ayoumbi

Bright Stars possible starting lineup – Yogusuk (GK); Bichok, Atiki, Mabior, Emmanuel; Loro, Wani, Thomas; Tito, Jawa, Kennedy

Les Fauves of CAR vs Bright Stars of South Sudan prediction

CAR had a hard time qualifying during the last edition, drawing their opener against Namibia, losing against Burkina Faso 1-3 before finally winning the last group game, 2-1 against Tunisia, to qualify in 2nd spot with a poor goal difference but a better head-to-head at the expense of Tunisia. Can they repeat the feat this time around?

There is some positive news for South Sudan regarding defenders Safino Lado and Bul James Anyang and forward Abishai following their injuries against Congo.

Safino Lado who was injured in the opening minutes is recovering and he has resumed training and Bul James Anyang is another who started training also; striker Agumemboki Abishai is also ready and all three will be part of tomorrow’s game.

For the Bright Stars, there are hopes that their youth teams’ growth will be sustained to build a senior squad that can finally play at the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.

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