Inside Cusin’s blueprints to lighten dimming Bright Stars

The South Sudan Men’s Senior Team head coach, Stefano Cusin, has revealed an elaborate plan to fix the football woes of the Bright Stars to raise their standards and match the ilk of other continental giants.

Mr Cusin told The City Review on Thursday that the South Sudanese team lacks not only the mental strength but the drive for excellence that he intends to instil in them and make them a better and more competitive team.

He said his main mission in South Sudan was to build a formidable team that would not only conquer the continent but also compete with the world’s best.

“That is why we are embarking on identifying and bringing up the young talents,” he revealed.

Mr Cusin cautioned that it was easier to talk about, but implementing it was another. And he can make promises but only ask for patience.

However, he expressed his readiness to give his best to make fans proud and enjoy football.

With caution

“I will give my best to achieve something for the country, and I will try with all my energy to be more competitive, although it is still too early to promise [anything] special for the fans,’’ he assured with caution.

“I can’t tell the fans I’m bringing the World Cup; I can’t tell them anything bigger until maybe that time comes,” Mr Cusin said.

He added that his motivation in life is to achieve something, and he likened his situation to a car that relies on fuel to get to its destination.

“Of course, here in South Sudan, there are gaps, but the mentality is great and I am sure with the time and the job we can be competitive. I can tell that people here are serious and have the spirit to do great things in future. “

The gaps

He disclosed that the players lacked physical fitness and experience in terms of playing international and regional matters. But he said he was convinced that with time, everything would fall into place.  

The head coach stated that he believes in developing raw talent, which is why he intends to travel to the United States to scout those players who will form the team’s backbone.

He said he was aware that every country has its own challenges, but the rule of thumb in the game is that the team must work on the tactical system to respond to games.

“I think we are a young team, very interesting. What is missing is the experience of players that can make a difference at any time. But generally, everything is good: they look good, young, excited and eager to learn and are ready to grow into the next level.”

Cusin appealed to other sectors to join hands with the coaching fraternity and the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFA) to promote talent, saying the work must be done collectively.

Cusin said it was important for citizens to encourage youth to showcase their football talents and skills to have more players for the national team.

To achieve the dream of competitive football in South Sudan, Mr Cusin said the country needs to put more concentration on grassroots football.

Having joined just recently, Cusin said the South Sudan Football Association’s (SSFA) ambitions are high to do something better for the nation.

“Of course we have the gaps with my players is that they are not physically stronger than the other countries like Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana and other related countries in the region.”

Mr Cusin said he feels so much better to be part of the SSFA to implement its projects and assure the football fans of better future achievement in the country’s football.

“My relations are good with the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA), including the players I have so far worked with. I think it is important to have a good relationship between me and the players, and the SSFA staff, including fans. “

Bad results

South Sudan has been on a winless streak through this year after losing 1-0 to Burkina Faso, 1-0 to Malawi and 1-0 to Kenya African Cup qualifiers and a friendly respectively. The last time the team registered a win was on November 16, 2020, when South Sudan beat Uganda by a solitary goal.

He signs

The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) signed Italian coach Stefano Cusin as Bright Stars’ in September as the new manager on a two-year contract to revive the sparks of the national team. Mr Cusin will head the South Sudan men’s national football team until 2023.

Who is Stefano?

According to Wikipedia.com, Stefano Cusin was born on October 28, 1968, in Montreal, Quebec. Cusin is an Italian football manager and a former player who comes with a rich background of experience, having served under various federations.

He gained international prominence as coach in Europe: France, Italy, Bulgaria, and England; in Africa: Cameroon, Congo, and Libya; In Asia: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

He recently served as an assistant manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Football League Championship and coach of Shahr Khodro in the Persian Gulf Pro League.

He speaks Italian, French, and English.

Early managerial career

Cusin had a varied managerial career from the beginning. In France and Italy, he trained a young players’ team for seven years; winning many championships.

Soon after he moved to Cameroon in 2003, the Cameroonian Football Federation of Africa invited him to organize a workshop for coaches and to train the under-17 and under-20 soccer players.

Cameroon 2003–2006

In 2003, the Cameroonian Football Federation of Africa invited him to organize a workshop for coaches and to train the under-17 and under-20 soccer players, teams.

He believed that in a country known for its big athletic potential, the correct tactical plan could make it more competitive.

He first selected players with high athletic qualities, taught them a variety of technical tactics, and then worked on their positive feelings.

The first experience was a real success, and Mr Henry Njalla Quan, the Chairman of the Njalla Quan Sports Academy (Acada Sports) based in Limbé asked him to keep on working as the Technical Director of Cameroon for the following three years, in a joint venture with one of the best clubs in Italy for the youth program, Empoli Football Club.

His team was one of the various national teams taking part in the different international competitions, including the Torneo di Viareggio (Italy) – the best tournament in the world for the under 21, in 2004 (Team Cameroon) and 2005 (Acada Sports).

National Team of Congo 2007

In 2007, he signed a two-year contract as the National Technical Director of the National Team of Congo. He was responsible for all the national teams (under 17 to Olympique Team); in 2007 the Congo Team won the under 20 Africa Cup with coach Hudansky and played in the World Cup under 20 in Canada. In March 2008 he left Congo because the Federation was not paying his salary.

Botev Plovdiv – 2008 Bulgaria Premier League

In 2008, he moved to Bulgaria to train the Bulgaria Premier League Team, Botev Plovdiv for a 6-month contract.

In January 2012, During the African Cup of Nation 2012, he worked as the “expert” for the famous Italian website, Calciomercato.com.

He declared at the start of the competition that the Zambia national team was a serious outsider for the title; Zambia won the African Championship in February 2012.

At the end of the season, he left the club and moved to England, where he worked with Wolves.

On July 30, 2016, the English club announced Mr Cusin as an Assistant Head Coach to Walter Zenga.

The transfer was possible through Jorge Mendes, the famous football agent. Cusin signs a contract that would bind him to Wolves until June 30, 2017.