First South Sudan national team coach Malish Soro passes away

The first head coach of the South Sudan national team, Malish Soro, has passed away. The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) confirmed Soro’s passing on Friday, 20th of February, but did not reveal the cause of his death.

Soro is a big name in South Sudanese football, as he led the post-independence national side in 2011. Although the country gained independence from Sudan in 2011, the country had to wait a year to become a member of FIFA and CAF.

Soro led the Bright Stars between 2011 and 2012. He was a historic figure, as he led the national side in their first-ever game in 2011 against Kenyan side Tusker FC, but the game was not recognized by FIFA because the country was not yet a member of the world football governing body at the time.

The former Kator FC player is credited with laying the foundation for the national team to compete in continental qualifying games. He briefly returned to coach in September 2016 against Equatorial Guinea during 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

The SSFA sent their condolences following Soro’s passing. The federation stated that Soro’s contribution to South Sudanese football is immeasurable. “From the sidelines to the training pitch, Coach Soro’s impact on the growth of South Sudanese football was immeasurable. He led with heart and paved the way for the future of the Bright Stars.”

Soro was admitted to the hospital in 2020, but the cause of his death has yet to be revealed.