AROUND 1300hrs on November 19, 2024, I fought my way from one store to another trying to get a football ticket so that I could attend an Africa Cup of Nations match between South Sudan and the home team, Bafana Bafana.
Approximately three hours later, I was able to secure it.
Traffic began to build up towards the stadium, so I hurried to get there.
Before the game’s actual menu, I wanted to make sure I watched the warm-up.
Simply put, in an attempt to save money on pricey airline tickets, the South Sudanese national team only brought 15 players to the game, making it a dead rubber.
South Sudan was the first to participate in the warm-up.
The Capetonians returned the gesture when the South Sudanese national team waved their hands to the South African fans.
To my amazement, the fans usually jeer the players when a rival team emerges from the dungeon, but Tuesday night was a completely different scenario.
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South Sudan was welcomed by the South African supporters.
I could not even see on, so I turned to see whether they had brought in their fans.
South African fans filled the DHL Stadium in Cape Town to overflowing capacity.
The South Sudan national team gave it their all at the beginning of the game, battling for possession of the ball and making excellent passes, but failing to score.
I have never witnessed such a modestly-minded national team.
Their goalie, one of two tall defenders in their side, struggled to hold ground passes for the entire 90 minutes since it took him time to lay his body on the ground.
The South Sudan national team did not let anyone down, even if they lost 3-0 to a well-prepared Bafana Bafana.
In every department, they demonstrated dedication.
Nothing was more agonising than witnessing their country’s dedication to raising its flag in honour of their grandparents, who gave their lives during the 21 years they endured such hardships.
In order to fully understand what South Sudan is going through, I watched the entire game.
I was aware that South Africa and Zimbabwe had already qualified.
Similar to Zimbabwe, South Sudan was experiencing the same suffering in its country.
They travelled to South Africa to demonstrate that politicians, not the team, were to blame for their defeat rather than to win.
When I saw their gear, which looked like it was from high school back when we were in school, I almost started crying.
Wearing premium dark green jerseys, South Africa looked beautifully put together.
Of course, every peaceful nation with a flourishing economy, infrastructure and leaders needs to safeguard South Sudan and the hopes of its citizens.
Giving to those in need and sharing are good things.
Football is a fantastic sport that can bring people together.
Tribalism and conflict are not good things.
Bravo to South Africa for welcoming South Sudan and sharing what you had with them.
It hurts so much that a nation with huge oil reserves, President Salva Kiir and his administration are dishonest.
South Sudan will overthrow the wicked regime one day.
In terms of gross domestic product per capita, South Sudan is the world’s poorest nation and the third most fragile.
According to the hotel they reserved, the South Sudanese national team was quite modest and respectful of people.
God bless South Sudan and its suffering people abundantly.
