a sombre mood engulfed the technical bench and the players of Wau State Football Club after their final match loss to Bentiu state in the inaugural inter states peace tournament organised by the Ministry of Culture,Youth and Sports.

The JICA(Japanese International Corporation Agency sponsored tournament involved 8 of the 10 states in south Sudan.

The tournament kicked off on January 16th and the final match was played on saturday 23rd January where Bentiu State beat Wau 3-2 on post match penalties after the two teams drew level 0-0.

The tournament involved several disciplines including athletics,tug of war etc with the final played to mark the National Day of Unity and peace.

Earlier on the participants in all disciplines participated in clean up campaign in the City of Juba organized by the Juba City Council.

Perharps the distance the players endured from the City of Wau which 600 kilometres from Juba and not getting the ultimate price .

The loss proved a bitter pill to swallow for the Wau players who had sruggled to make it to the final.The players were carried with emotions with some shedding tears as others wept uncontrollably as they left the stadium.

Austin Oduor

talking African football