South Sudan joins African football family

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South Sudan has become the latest National Association of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) taking the membership of the continent’s soccer governing body to 54. The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) was unanimously admitted during the 34th CAF Ordinary General Assembly held on Thursday in Libreville, Gabon.

CAF President Issa Hayatou explained that the admission of the SSFA has become necessary following the recognition of the nation by international organisations and. Earlier CAF General Secretary Hicham El-Amrani said the admission of the world’s newest nation comes in the wake of the SSFA’s compliance with the statutes of the Confederation despite its short tenure of existence.

He said the SSFA and the Government of South Sudan has shown commitment to the respect of the CAF Statute and the provision of infrastructure for the development and promotion of the sport. South Sudan’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. Cirino Iteng Ofuho presented a flag of the country to CAF President Hayatou to symbolize their formal entry into the African football, whilst Hayatou reciprocated with the CAF flag.

 Oliver Mori Benjamin, President of the SSFA expressed gratitude to the assembly for the unanimous support on their admission into the African football family. “It is a great moment that the newest nation has been admitted into CAF. Today marks eight months since the birth of the country and 10 months of existence of the provisional SSFA.

“We thank CAF and FIFA for sending a delegation to inspect our facilities when we made our intentions. We pledge to help promote football in Africa without recourse to the reverse gear. Our government is very committed to the developing football and sports in general ,sports,” said Benjamin.