The 6th edition of South Sudan’s National Unity Day Football Tournament got underway on Sunday with defending champions, Juba, sharing spoils with Bentiu, at Buluk Playground.

The teams shared one point each after two first-half goals from each side.

The tournament is intended to bring together young people.

Chiok Biel, the game’s man of the match, scored Bentiu’s first goal just five minutes after the game began before James Kenyi’s equaliser kept the hosts from losing their first home game. 

The goals brought the game to a close after 90 minutes. They all defended well, and strikers failed to score, despite the two coming back fiercely to make the difference. As a result, the score was levelled at 1-1, forcing the teams to share points.

Speaking shortly after the match, James Kenyi, the Juba team captain, said although the result was disappointing, he hoped his team would do better in their next match against the Malakal squad.

“I am pleased with the level of play we showed on the field. The two sides were powerful, and they demonstrated a high level of football, but the most important thing for me and my team is to prepare for the next game,” Kenyi said.

“I am not saying it will be an automatic win for us, but if we work hard enough, I believe it will, so I’m optimistic that we’ll win the next game.” 

Meanwhile, Chiok Biel expressed gratitude for being voted the man of the match, but he revealed that his next focus was on the upcoming game.

“I earned man of the match today, but I think it would have been more meaningful for me if my team had won the game,” Biel said.

“What I can say is that we need to focus on the next game and win it, which is our only hope of staying in the competition.”