South Sudan beats Somalia with 2-1

South Sudan capped their maiden outing in the qualifiers for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) with victory after edging Somalia 2-1 away in Djibouti on Saturday.

The match held at the Gouled Stadium in Djibouti due to Somalia’s inability to host matches in their territory saw the Bright Stars having the last laugh at the expense of the Ocean Stars in the first leg of the First Round of the Southern Zone qualifiers for the 2018 edition to be staged in Kenya.

It was the first time South Sudan were participating in the championship designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues since joining the realms of international football in 2012, and they did not disappoint, snatching victory over Somalia in a match of equals.

Forward James Moga gave the South Sudanese the lead after only six minutes before Abas Amin Mohamed drew level for the Ocean Stars four minutes after the break.

Khamis Leon sealed victory for Bilal Felix’s charges with a strike on 52 minutes to give his an advantage ahead of the return leg next week in Juba.

There were also two matches in the Southern Zone qualifiers with substitute Morelin Raveloarisona’s goal four minutes from time handing Madagascar victory over visiting Malawi in Antananarivo.

Elsewhere at the Anjalay Stadium in Belle Vue, Mauritius beat Seychelles 2-1 in a ‘battle of Islanders’. Goals in each half from Emmanuel Vincent Jean and Francis Rasolofonirina gave Mauritius a two-goal lead before Manoo Yannick Dominique pulled one back for Seychelles on 78 minutes

The return leg matches will take place next weekend, with the winners advancing to the next round in their respective zones.

Meanwhile, the final tournament is scheduled for 12 January to 4 February 2018 in Kenya.