This archive report was first published on 8 July 2019.
On July 5, 2019, the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) unveiled Ashu Cyprian Besong as the new head coach of South Sudan's national football team at the SSFA headquarters in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
As the newly appointed head coach, Besong has set his sights on rebuilding the national team from the grassroots level, with a focus on developing young talent.
"I have done a lot when it comes to professional elite youth development and I think I'm among the best, and I know what it takes to produce young players," Besong said during a presentation in Juba.
With a three-year deal in place, Besong's first test with the Bright Stars will be to battle for a place in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) Ethiopia 2020 qualifier against Burundi later this month.
South Sudan failed to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, losing all qualifier games in Group C.
