South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) and coach Nicolas Dupuis have mutually agreed to end his role as Bright Stars head coach.
Mr. Abraham Ajok, Acting Chairperson of the National Team
Committee and International Matches Committee, told reporters on Thursday.
“The South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) announces that
it has mutually agreed to part ways with the head coach of the national team,
Nicolas Dupuis, following the signing of a mutual settlement agreement on
Tuesday, 10 March 2026,” Ajok said.
“Coach Nicolas Dupuis concluded his term after 28 months of
dedicated service, during which he demonstrated professionalism and contributed
to the development of the national team.”
The federation expressed appreciation for his contributions
and wished him success in future endeavors.
Dupuis was suspended in October 2025 after South Sudan lost 5-0 to Senegal in a World Cup qualifier. After the defeat, he criticized the team’s management, saying the team had five wins and several draws in his two years in charge.
He said any decision to remove him was the responsibility of
the federation’s president, not his own, and emphasized he remained committed
to the team despite other opportunities. Dupuis also requested that his seven
months of unpaid salaries be settled before any dismissal.
Following the remarks, the federation’s executive committee
reviewed the coach’s conduct and the team’s technical performance. He was
reinstated earlier this year.
ElSheikh Chol Ajing, SSFF Deputy Secretary, dismissed
speculation that the departure was linked to unpaid salaries.
“There is nothing like a problem of payment. There is no
issue of payment at all. This was a three-year contract for coach Nicolas. What
happened was not a termination,” Chol said.
“We did not terminate the contract. We reached a mutual
agreement. There was no termination and there were no issues of payment.”
In a farewell letter read during the press conference,
Dupuis thanked his players and expressed confidence in the team’s future.
“I am truly proud of my players. It was a pleasure to work
with them. Even if the results remained average, I remember the three victories
against Congo, Rwanda, and Kenya,” he wrote.
“We will qualify against Djibouti. I sincerely hope to see
you again soon.”
The federation has appointed Ashu Cyprien on a temporary
basis to lead the team for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Djibouti on
March 26 and 29 at Juba National Stadium. Dupuis was appointed in October 2023 replacing
Italian coach Stefano Cusin.
The SSFF said it will continue searching for a long-term head coach while preparing for the upcoming qualifiers.