South Sudan have appointed Belgian coach N’sengi Biembe Christian as head coach of the senior national football team, the Bright Stars.
The South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) announced the appointment after signing a one-year contract with the Congolese-born Belgian coach. The agreement includes an option for renewal by mutual consent.
Biembe will oversee the senior national team while also serving as a technical consultant for the under-20 and under-23 national teams and supporting the development of South Sudanese coaches.
According to the federation, the appointment is part of a broader effort to strengthen the technical structure of the national teams and establish what officials described as a distinct football “DNA” for South Sudan.
SSFF officials said Biembe brings more than 18 years of coaching experience, including work with the under-20, under-23 and senior national teams of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During his career in Congolese football, he was involved in developing and promoting young players into the national setup, with his experience in youth development cited as one of the reasons for his appointment.
The federation also said his familiarity with African football would help him understand the playing environment and the challenges facing South Sudanese players.
SSFF President Francis Amin Michael said the appointment followed consultations with football federations friendly to South Sudan and was made under the supervision of the federation’s Technical Committee.
He said the federation would provide the coach with the necessary working environment to carry out his responsibilities.
Biembe said he had come to South Sudan with a clear mandate and was ready to work towards the objectives set by the federation.
“I am brought here to do the job, and with this in mind, I will do my best to make the team achieve its objectives and goals,” Biembe said.
He said success would require cooperation among the coaching staff, players and federation, while urging the players to remain focused on the national team’s interests.
“Teamwork is the foundation of success. We have to work together, because the national team belongs to everyone,” he said.
Biembe is also expected to contribute to the development of local coaches. The federation said he will serve as a trainer during coaching licence courses and help strengthen the technical capacity of South Sudanese coaches.
The new coach said he would draw on his experience to help improve the Bright Stars and make the team more competitive in regional and continental football.
His immediate challenge will be to build a competitive national side while creating a stronger pathway between South Sudan’s youth teams and the senior squad.
Biembe’s appointment comes as South Sudan seek greater consistency at international level and aim to improve their prospects of qualifying for major African competitions.
For the SSFF, the appointment is intended to go beyond the senior team, with the federation hoping Biembe’s experience will help establish a sustainable technical foundation for South Sudanese football.
