Getting to AFCON U-20 quarters on first attempt is good – South Sudan Coach

_{South Sudan were ejected by The Gambia at the quarter final stage of the on-going TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Friday night.}

_{The Gambia U-20 side that has all their matches at the tournament were a better side winning 5-0 at the Haras El Hood Stadium in Alexandria.}

_{But Peter James, head coach of the Young Bright Stars has made it clear that despite failing to the next stage, he is proud of his team.}

_{“Getting to the quarters on the first attempt is good. It is the first time that our players feature in this big stage,” said the South Sudan coach.}

_{He made it clear that no one gave them a chance to even make it through the group stage since it was the first time a South Sudan team qualified for an AFCON tournament. “But the team has worked hard and played four matches at the tournament which has given us a lot of exposure. These players have learnt a lot and will never be the same again,” added the coach.}

_{Forward Paul Mara Jawa who netted all South Sudan’s goals at the tournament said that although they lost to a good Gambia team, they are proud of the achievement. “ Making it to the quarter finals when we were playing in this tournament for the first time is very good. This gives us more motivation to keep working hard,” added the forward.}

_{In the group stage South Sudan kick started their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Congo Brazzaville, and recovered to beat The Central African Republic 1-0. In their last group B match they held CECAFA Champions Uganda Hippos to a goalless draw.}

_{While the CECAFA representatives Uganda and South Sudan teams prepare to return home, the teams of Senegal, Nigeria, The Gambia and Tunisia have qualified for the semi finals and the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup to be held in Indonesia.}