Salaam Kuacjok FC Tuesday beat hosts Holy family FC 6-5 in a penalty shootout in the Bahr el-Ghazal region football cup final in Zone A in Rumbek freedom square after an all nil draw at full time.
The final game of the tournament was attended by the president of the South Sudan president Football Association, Francis Amin, acting governor of Lakes State Poth Madit, and other high profile sports officials and state government officials.
Addressing the fans, Poth Madit Dut congratulated Saalam Kuacjok FC for beating Holy family FC of Rumbek and taking the trophy in the Bahr-el-Ghazal region zone A cup final.
“I would also like to appreciate the role played by the security apparatus in maintaining and providing a conducive and secure environment since the tournament started in Rumbek,” Acting governor Madit said.
The president of the country’s football association, Francis Amin, expressed happiness for having attended the final game in Rumbek.
“I want to thank all the people of Lakes State for hosting a successful game. I want to thank the organizing committee for ensuring a conducive environment without problems and challenges. I also thank the local football association,” Amin said.
The minister of culture, youth, and sports in Lakes State, William Koji Kerjok Kertim, congratulated the two teams for demonstrating a good spirit of sportsmanship in the final competition.
“I am very happy that the final football competition ended very successfully between Al Saalam Kuacjok FC and Holy Family Rumbek FC in a penalty shootout. It was a tiresome match which ended in nil-nil,” Minister Koji said.
He said he will escort the two teams to Juba for the South Sudan football competition on Wednesday.
The Lakes State football association chairperson, Ater Deng Mabok, encouraged the losing team, Holy family Rumbek FC, to do well next time.
“In any competition, there must be a winner and a loser. I can say congratulations to aA Saalam Kuacjok FC for winning the final competition of Bahr-el-Ghazal regional cup,” Deng said.
The manager of Al Saalam Kuacjok FC, Deng Adhar, congratulated his team for winning the Bahr-el-Ghazal region zone A cup.
“Now, after having won this game, the next step will be travelling to Juba tomorrow (Wednesday). But the problem is that most of my main players have got injuries,” Adhar said.
The Holy Family Rumbek FC manager, Mawut Santos Bith, conceded the loss and promised to prepare for the next competition.
“We shall prepare for the next competition. Now, we have lost the game and Al Salaam kuacjok FC has won the Bahr-el-Ghazal zone A cup. Now the two teams will go to Juba for the South Sudan football cup competition,” Mawut said.