South Sudan women’s football champions Yei Joint Stars have appealed for nationwide support as they prepare for the 2026 CECAFA Women’s Club Championship in Rwanda, saying they are determined to deliver the country’s best performance yet in the regional competition.
Club President Engineer Lemi Stephen James William said the team has strengthened its squad by recruiting around 10 new players while retaining experienced members to improve its chances of success.
“The most painful thing for us is that we have never progressed beyond the group stage. This time, we want to compete for the trophy,” Lemi said.
He said the club plans to arrive in Rwanda two weeks before the tournament to allow players to acclimatise before the competition begins.
Lemi called on the government, businesses and football supporters to provide financial backing, saying Yei Joint Stars will be representing South Sudan rather than a single community.
The club has also introduced reforms aimed at improving transparency, player welfare and long-term financial sustainability as it seeks to establish itself among East Africa’s leading women’s football clubs.
Club Secretary Mabe Clement said Yei Joint Stars was founded in 2019 to create opportunities for girls and young women to pursue football careers while promoting women’s participation in the sport.
He said the club has represented South Sudan in every CECAFA Women’s Club Championship since 2021 and is now intensifying preparations after receiving an invitation to this year’s tournament.
The tournament will be held in Kigali from 22 August to 6 September, with the club hoping to progress beyond the group stage for the first time and compete for the title.
