Striker Tito Okello endured an unsuccessful debut for South Sudan as his newly adopted national team was forced to share spoils with their hosts Cameroon in an international friendly played on Saturday.
Okello, who on September opted to play for South Sudan instead of Uganda, missed a penalty in a match against Indomitable Lions “B” team that ended goalless away at Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde.
The new Gor Mahia signing almost made a debut dream start to his career for South Sudan, hitting outside of the post with a powerful volley in the 10th minute.
South Sudan then got a penalty four minutes later when winger Makueth Woi was fouled. It is unlikely Okello is the designated penalty-taker, but the player came forward to take the spot-kick and embarrassingly shot wide.
Bright Stars shot-stopper Ramadahn Mayik was forced into a save in the 19th minute as he denied Serges Andoulou the opener from point-blank range with Cameroon battling defensively.
Renne Ndi came close to giving Cameroon the lead in the 25th minute, the striker managed to outpace the South Sudan defence before firing an effort just wide of Mayik’s post.
Koang Thok squandered a chance to give the Bright Stars the lead in the 34th minute but he blasted wide of the target from close range, after being set up by David Omot.
Cameroon nearly went ahead in the 39th minute as Beo Bato’s close-range header drew a fine save from Mayik.
South Sudan were pushing for the opener and were nearly rewarded in the 42nd minute as Evans Wani’s long-range strike went inches wide of the right-hand post.
Cameroon were presented with their third opportunity of the half when Etame Ngombe ballooned his effort over the bar from the edge of the area.
Indomitable Lions attacker Leon Boyomo had two chances in quick succession approximately ten minutes after the half-time interval. On the first occasion, he broke the offside trap but shot straight at Bright Stars keeper Mayik.
On the second occasion, he also managed to get in behind while making sure he was not offside but fired his shot into the side-netting when he really should have done better.
Shortly after, Cameroon were almost punished for their wastefulness when Makueth went on a bullocking run down the right-hand side before delivering into the box for Stephen Pawaar, whose shot was unfortunately straight at Dande Junior.
Jose Kuch looked lively since replacing Tito Okello and came close in the 70th minute when he cut inside on to his favoured right foot from the left-hand side but narrowly dragged his shot wide of the right-hand upright.
Omot nearly won it for the Bright Stars in the 77th minute but the midfielder’s long-range effort drew a fine save from Dande.
In the last 10 minutes, South Sudan threw all their men behind the ball frustrating the home side but substitute Mbappe Mullar could have snatched the winner in the dying minutes as somehow the Bright Stars survived a penalty appeal.
Photo: Tito Okello in a warm-match against Al Ratiba FC
