South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
A young and energetic South Sudanese national, Teng Deng, a professional football player and seasoned coach, has expressed interest in contesting for the presidency of the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF).
Deng, whose career spans 15 years playing football in the United Kingdom and the United States of America (USA), has promised robust reforms, including opening up football in South Sudan to the international market.
While speaking during a press conference on Monday at Twin Towers, Deng stated that his main priority is to upgrade the available sports facilities, including football stadiums across South Sudan.
“It is a matter of national pride for South Sudan to have a stadium that meets international standards; our players and fans deserve to experience the thrill of international football on home soil,” said Deng.
“Money is not my problem; if it were about money, I would have remained in the UK to make money. What we need is to bring experience from outside Africa to empower young footballers,” he said.
Deng also mentioned that upgrading sports facilities will not only benefit the national team but also foster the development of football at all levels in South Sudan, adding that his plan also includes paying football players to motivate them.
“My plan is to make football a career for everyone involved—players, coaches, referees, and stewards—so they can take football as their career and enable them to earn money from it,” he said.
“Football is not being funded because we are not winning games. My immediate plan is to ensure that we start winning games and gain the trust of football partners. We have to set up a good scouting system in football associations so that every talent is brought on board.”
If Deng is elected as the new president of the South Sudan Football Federation, he will replace Gen. Augustino Maduot Parek, who has been leading since 2021 and now also doubles as the president of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA).
Last week, Ernest Faulo Marino, the chairperson of the Election Committee, announced that the South Sudan Football Federation Electoral Committee has set August 15, 2025, as the date for the federation’s presidential election.
