{"id":802776,"date":"2025-09-27T19:31:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T19:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/non-classe\/fifa-shocks-fans-with-time-change-for-south-sudan-rm-1759001458269"},"modified":"2025-09-27T19:31:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T19:31:00","slug":"fifa-shocks-fans-with-time-change-for-south-sudan-rm-1759001458269","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/non-classe\/fifa-shocks-fans-with-time-change-for-south-sudan-rm-1759001458269","title":{"rendered":"FIFA Shocks Fans with Time Change for South Sudan vs Senegal Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world of African football has been rocked by a last-minute schedule adjustment from FIFA, as the governing body has shifted the kickoff time for the much-anticipated World Cup 2026 qualifier between South Sudan<\/strong> and Senegal<\/strong>. Originally set for 16:00 GMT on October 10, 2023, the match will now commence at 13:00 GMT in Juba. This change has sparked a flurry of reactions from fans and analysts alike.<\/p>\n

Context of the Schedule Change<\/h2>\n

The decision to alter the kickoff time comes as part of FIFA’s efforts to harmonize match schedules across various locations. While this might seem like a minor adjustment, it carries significant implications for teams and players, especially in regions where climate conditions can be challenging. For Senegal\u2019s national team, known as the Lions of Teranga<\/strong>, this new afternoon slot poses a serious physical challenge as they will have to contend with intense midday heat.<\/p>\n

Tactical Implications for Senegal<\/h2>\n

Currently leading their qualifying group with 18 points<\/strong>, Senegal is on the brink of securing a coveted spot at the World Cup. A win against South Sudan, combined with a potential slip-up by DR Congo against Togo, could seal their qualification. However, playing in extreme heat requires tactical adjustments; coaches may need to rethink their starting line-up and strategies to maintain player stamina throughout the game.<\/p>\n

Historically, teams from hotter climates have had an advantage in such conditions; however, Senegal’s squad depth and experience in European leagues could play a pivotal role. Players like Sadio Man\u00e9<\/strong> and Koulibaly<\/strong> are expected to lead by example and adapt quickly to these challenging circumstances.<\/p>\n

Player Perspectives and Team Morale<\/h2>\n

In light of these changes, players have expressed mixed feelings. Many understand the importance of adapting to new conditions but are also aware that this could affect their performance levels. A key player commented on the situation saying, “We know we can\u2019t control the weather or timings; we just have to prepare better and focus on our game plan.”<\/em><\/p>\n

The morale within the squad remains high as they look forward to building on their successful campaign thus far. With international experience under their belts, players believe they can rise to meet this new challenge head-on.<\/p>\n

The Bigger Picture for African Football<\/h2>\n

This match holds more than just qualification implications; it represents a significant moment for African football on the global stage. As teams like Senegal strive towards World Cup glory, their performances serve as an inspiration for younger players across Africa who dream of playing at such prestigious tournaments.<\/p>\n

The ongoing development of football infrastructure across Africa is also highlighted through such qualifiers. Success on this stage can lead to increased investment in local academies, further nurturing talent that can compete internationally.<\/p>\n

Future Prospects for African Teams<\/h2>\n

Looking ahead, Senegal\u2019s ability to adapt to changing circumstances could set a precedent for other African teams facing similar situations. The emphasis on training under various conditions might soon become standard practice among elite squads preparing for international competitions.<\/p>\n

As fans eagerly await what promises to be an electrifying encounter between South Sudan and Senegal, one thing is certain: African football continues to evolve and capture hearts around the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The world of African football has been rocked by a last-minute schedule adjustment from FIFA, as the governing body has shifted the kickoff time for the much-anticipated World Cup 2026 qualifier between South Sudan and Senegal. Originally set for 16:00 GMT on October 10, 2023, the match will now commence at 13:00 GMT in Juba. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":802775,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-802776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-classe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/image-305.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfmZoa-3mQ0","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802776\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/802775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}