SSPL
EL Merriekh SC Bentiu thrash Lion Hunters 10-1 in South Sudan Premier League opener
Talk of a great start and EL Merriekh SC Bentiu did exactly that thrashing Lion Hunters 10-1 in the opening match of the 2025/2026 South Sudan Premier League on Sunday.
Coach Ibrahim Hussein got a good test ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup where they face Tanzania’s Azam FC next weekend.
Keer Mangar gave El Merriekh SC Bentiu the lead after 13 minutes at the Juba National Stadium.
Cheick Moukoro increased the lead to 2-0 after 18 minutes, before Geatan Masha netted a quick brace. Nelson Victor also got his name on the score sheet before the interval.
Anthony Billy Madison pulled back a goal for Lion Hunters FC with a hard shot from close range. EL Merriekh SC Bentiu took a 5-1 lead at the interval.
After recess EL Merriekh SC Bentiu continued to attack in numbers scoring more goals through Victor Masha, Victor Nelson, Samuel Akinbinu, Eric Mbirizi, and a late one by Chol Peter.
“We are happy to win and score many goals in the opening match. We need to keep working hard ahead of many matches to come,” said coach Ibrahim Hussein.
The huge win takes EL Merriekh SC Bentiu told of the tale of the South Sudan Premier League sponsored by MTN South Sudan.
El Merriekh SC Bentiu head coach Ibrahim Hussein has been voted best manager of the 2025/2026 South Sudan Premier League.
Hussein was awarded after the final match on Saturday at the Juba National Stadium. The calm tactician who has also handled teams in Sudan was recognized for his tactical acumen and leadership.
Other El Merriekh SC Bentiu players who received Awards include; Sampi Ousimane (Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Daniel Magot (Goalkeeper of the season).
The season’s outstanding players and coaches received Awards from the sponsors MTN South Sudan.
El Merriekh SC Bentiu have been crowned champions of the 2025/2026 South Sudan Premier League.
The giants lost the last match of the season 1-0 to arch-rivals Jamus SC on Saturday at the Juba National Stadium.
Handled by head Coach Ibrahim Hussein, El Merriekh SC Bentiu finished with 64 points after 26 matches played, while last year’s champions Jamus SC came second with 61 points.
El Merriekh SC Bentiu went on to win a double after they also defeated Al Ghazala SC 2-1 in the final of the South Sudan Cup a week ago.
“I am very happy that the team has worked hard and won two trophies,” said coach Hussein.
The Awards ceremony was attended by Hon. Atong Kual Menang, Minister of Youth and Sports, Francis Amin Michael, President of the South Sudan Football Federation, and Hon. Bush Bush, Minister of Youth and Sports for Central Equatoria State among others.
MTN South Sudan are the sponsors of the 2025/2026 South Sudan Premier League.
El Merriekh SC Bentiu are the 2025/2026 South Sudan Premier League champions.
Handled by coach Ibrahim Hussein, the Pride of Bentiu emerged champions on Tuesday after arch-rivals Jamus SC lost 2-0 to Holy Family FC.
The defeat of the arch-rivals SC means that El Merriekh SC Bentiu become champions since they lead the table with 63 points, with two more matches to be played, while even if Jamus SC winning the remaining two matches does not bring them close to the Pride of Bentiu.
El Merriekh SC Betiu who walloped Koryom FC 6-1 on Monday have two remaining matches against Al Ghazala SC and Jamus SC. They are also in the final of the South Sudan Cup 2026.
El Merriekh SC Betiu now qualify to represent South Sudan in the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
South Sudan Premier League table standing
P W D L GF GA GD PTS
El Merriekh SC Bentiu 24 20 3 1 76 19 57 63
Jamus SC 24 17 4 3 70 16 54 55
Holy Family FC 24 15 3 6 48 27 21 48
Kator FC 22 13 5 4 40 19 21 44
Malakia SC 23 12 6 5 42 27 15 42
Al Ghazala SC 23 14 0 9 55 42 13 42
Wajuma FC 24 10 2 12 36 39 -3 32
Atlabara FC 22 9 4 9 31 37 -6 31
Koryom FC 24 6 5 13 43 61 -18 23
Olympic FC 23 6 2 15 22 50 -28 20
Salam FC Aweil 22 4 6 12 31 54 -23 18
Bentiu City SC 24 5 3 16 35 78 -43 18
Al Hilal FC Wau 22 3 6 13 28 37 -9 15
Lion Hunters FC 23 2 3 18 27 78 -51 9
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