El Merriekh SC Bentiu have lifted the South Sudan Cup 2026.

Coach Ibrahim Hussein’s team defeated Al Ghazala SC 2-1 in the final of the South Sudan Cup played on Saturday at the Juba National Stadium.

Saleh Ishimwe gave El Merriekh SC Bentiu the lead after 32 minutes to send the fans celebrating.

The Al Ghazala SC team tried to fight back strongly, but failed to find goals as the first half ended 1-0.

After recess Gaetan Masha got his name on the score sheet to make it 2-0 for El Merriekh SC Bentiu after 50 minutes. Ayub Khoak pulled a goal back for the Al Ghazala SC team.

The El Merriekh SC Bentiu team received medals and the trophy in a ceremony graced by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Atong Kuol Manyang.

Michael Amin Francis, President of the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) and El Merriekh SC Bentiu Chairman Malual Tap Diu also attended the awarding ceremony.

The win saw El Merriekh SC Bentiu win a double after they also won the South Sudan Premier League with two matches to spare.

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

El Merriekh SC Betiu have walloped Koryom FC 6-1 to move closer to winning the 2025/2026 South Sudan Premier League title.

The table leaders increased their lead to 63 points with two more matches to be played.

Shabani Hussein netted a first half hat-trick, while Rehan Anger also scored before the interval to give El Merriekh SC Bentiu a 4-1 lead.

Koryom FC had taken an early lead through Ashiraf Asiku after 12 minutes.

Sampi Ousmane and Mohammad Musa added two second half goals to ensure El Merriekh SC Bentiu smiled away with a huge victory.

Ibrahim Hussein, the El Merriekh SC Bentiu head coach said he was happy with the performance of his team as they get closer to the climax of the League. “We need to keep working hard because the season has not yet ended,” added the coach.

El Merriekh SC Bentiu remains with two matches to be played against Al Ghazala SC and second placed Jamus SC.