The South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) has suspended national team Head Coach Nicolas Dupuis for fifteen days following his fiery post-match remarks after the Bright Stars’ heavy 5–0 defeat to Senegal in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Friday.
In a tense post-match press conference held in Juba, the French tactician was asked by a journalist when he planned to resign after the humiliating loss.
His honesty Answer cost him red card that ended with his suspension.
“I am happy to be here in South Sudan. Maybe if you can try to find another one better than me. But I still have a contract. You make a decision to sack me, it’s already right. But if you can pay me my salary of seven months, I can go,” Dupuis said.
The comment, which has since gone viral across social media platforms, drew laughter, shock, and criticism from fans and pundits alike — and reportedly infuriated officials within the South Sudan Football Federation.
A day later, the SSFF Executive Committee convened its 3rd Extraordinary Meeting (3/2025) to deliberate on what it described as “unsatisfactory results and public statements made by the Head Coach.”
In a statement signed by the federation’s spokesperson, Adau Leek Mawut, the SSFF announced the coach’s 15-day suspension for “breaching contractual obligations and violating Article N (3) of the coach’s professional contract.”
“The Head Coach is hereby suspended from his duties for a period of fifteen (15) days for breaching his contractual obligations,” the statement read.
“An independent Investigation Committee has been constituted to review the matter and submit its findings within the suspension period.”
During his suspension, Assistant Coach Peter Wani will take charge of the national team as Acting Head Coach to ensure continuity in training and upcoming matches.
The federation also used the statement to apologize to fans and partners, reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
“We remain deeply grateful for your continued trust and support as we take measures to uphold discipline and restore confidence in our national teams,” the statement added.
Before the disciplinary letter reached his desk, Dupuis had defended his performance and rejected claims that he was solely responsible for the team’s struggles.
“Before I took over as Head Coach, everyone knew where the team stood in FIFA rankings,” he said.
“When I arrived in 2023, South Sudan had only won two matches in two years. Under my leadership, we’ve won five and drawn seven — that’s real progress.”
Dupuis also accused the federation of logistical failures, citing the CHAN qualifier against Rwanda, where he could not travel because “the association did not send me a ticket.”
“I had promised to lead the team in CHAN qualifiers, and we defeated Kenya and Rwanda,” he explained.
“But for the return match, I was not sent a travel ticket, so I was unable to manage that match.”
According to documents seen by Standard Zone News, the Frenchman’s contract — signed in October 2023 — guarantees a monthly salary of USD 11,000 and performance-based bonuses, including:
$25,000 for CHAN qualification, $50,000 for AFCON qualification and $100,000 for World Cup qualification.
The three-year deal was seen as a long-term investment to build a competitive national team.
However, the coach’s revelation about unpaid salaries and his “pay me and I’ll go” comment has now put the federation under public scrutiny.
In Juba and on social media, football fans are split. Some hailed Dupuis as “brutally honest,” saying his suspension shows a lack of transparency at the top. Others argue that he crossed the line by publicly exposing internal issues.
One post trending on X (formerly Twitter) read: “Senegal scored five, but Dupuis’ mouth scored the sixth.”
Another wrote: “If honesty had a red card, Dupuis just got it.”
As the 15-day suspension clock ticks, the investigation committee’s findings could determine Dupuis’s fate — whether he returns to the dugout or departs South Sudan with more controversy than trophies.
For now, one thing is certain: his words hit harder than Senegal’s five goals.
