OPINION | Twic Mayardit Footabll Needs a Reset After Another Painful Exit

𝐁𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐤𝐚 𝐑𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐤

𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙧 & 𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧

Last night’s semi-final defeat to Tonj East was painful for every Twic Mayardit supporter, but it should also be a moment for us to reflect on the direction of our football.

There is an irony in the result. In 2025, Agoth Mamdit was appointed as an assistant coach of Twic Mayardit in Juba but declined the position. He later took up the head-coaching role at Tonj East. Last night, his Tonj East team eliminated Twic Mayardit from the Warrap State Peace Tournament.

That is football. But as a community, we should ask whether there are lessons for us in what has happened.

In July 2026, Twic Mayardit head coach Ring Ghazal resigned, saying the team’s secretary general had interfered in his technical responsibilities, particularly in player selection for the Warrap State Peace Tournament. The secretary general denied the allegation, saying he was carrying out his administrative responsibilities.

I am not here to decide who was right or wrong. But the resignation of a head coach before an important tournament should make us question whether our football administration and technical structure are working as they should.

Before we enter the Bahr el Ghazal Counties’ Tournament, we need an honest conversation as a football community. If the current acting coach remains in charge, I believe association president Charles Chol should consider appointing an experienced technical team to support him and ensure a clear separation between administrative and technical responsibilities.

As a former player and retired footballer, I cannot take another heartbreak lightly. Last night was enough. To our players, especially our main stars, when a match goes to penalties, you must be willing to take responsibility. Missing a penalty is part of football. Missing after having the courage to take it is far better than refusing to try.

Yesterday, defenders were taking penalties while some of our main players appeared afraid to step forward. Our stars must understand that leadership means taking responsibility when the pressure is highest.

Twic Mayardit has the talent, supporters and football culture to compete at the highest level. But we need better organization, experienced technical leadership and players willing to take responsibility.

Let last night’s defeat be a wake-up call.

Marko Makat Aka Rizik is a former striker and retired footballer.