As Uganda Cranes gear up for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying doubleheader against South Sudan, the historical rivalry between the two neighbors paints a clear picture of Uganda’s dominance.
Having met eight times in competitive and friendly matches, Uganda has triumphed on five occasions, with South Sudan managing only one win and two draws.
The first clash between the two came in July 2012, marking South Sudan’s inaugural international match.
The friendly, played in Juba, ended in a 2-2 draw, with Uganda’s goals coming from Ceasar Okhuti and Julius Ogwang.
That same year, the two teams met again in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, where Uganda dispatched South Sudan 4-0, courtesy of goals from Brian Umony, Robert Ssentongo, Hamis Diego Kizza, and Henry Kalungi.
After a five-year gap, the two sides renewed their rivalry in the 2017 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.
The first leg in Juba ended in a goalless draw, but Uganda dominated the return leg in Kampala, winning 5-1.
Derrick Nsibambi opened the scoring, but it was substitute Paul Mucureezi who stole the show, netting four goals to secure a resounding victory for the Cranes.
The teams met again later that year in the CECAFA Championship, where Uganda recorded another emphatic 5-1 win, with Nsibambi scoring twice, alongside goals from Nicholas Wadada, Milton Karisa, and Hood Kaweesa.
The most recent encounters came in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.
Uganda claimed a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg, thanks to a Halid Lwaliwa header at Kitende.
However, South Sudan secured their first-ever victory over Uganda in the second leg, winning 1-0 in Kenya.
Tito Okello’s penalty sealed the win as now Uganda’s captain Khalid Aucho was sent off.
As Uganda and South Sudan prepare to clash once again in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, the Cranes will be keen to reassert their dominance, while South Sudan will be looking to pull off another upset, similar to their historic win in 2020.
