James Joseph Saeed Moga (born 14 June 1983) is a South Sudanese former professional footballer who played as a striker, who represented both Sudan and South Sudan internationally.[1] He is South Sudan's all-time top goalscorer, with six goals in 18 appearances.

James Moga
Moga with Mohammedan in 2016
Personal information
Full name James Joseph Saeed Moga
Date of birth (1983-06-14) 14 June 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth Nimule, South Sudan
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–1999 Beit El Mal
2000 Al-Hilal 10 (2)
2000–2002 Baniyas 46 (20)
2002 Al-Hilal 5 (0)
2002–2004 Baniyas 42 (17)
2004–2006 Al Rams 57 (33)
2006–2007 Al-Merrikh 30 (14)
2009–2010 Muscat 27 (24)
2010–2011 Muktijoddha Sangsad 22 (19)
2011 Sporting Clube de Goa 19 (16)
2012–2013 Pune 24 (16)
2013–2014 East Bengal 14 (7)
2015 Kator 3 (2)
2016 Mohammedan 8 (8)
2016–2017 Rangdajied United 12 (14)
2019 Brothers Union 11 (6)
Total 240 (133)
International career
2000–2005 Sudan 26 (6)
2012–2017 South Sudan 18 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 09:26, 18 July 2019 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22 July 2017

Early life

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James Joseph Saeed Moga was born on 14 June 1983 in the town of Nimule, South Sudan (then Sudan) immediately north of the South Sudan-Uganda border.

Club career

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Sporting Goa

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He signed for Sporting Clube de Goa in the 2011–12 season of the I-League, he is one of the top scorers for Sporting Clube de Goa. Many other Indian clubs, including Pune FC, sought to sign him next season because of his scoring ability in almost every match.[2][3] Later in August 2012, he left the club and was replaced by Cameroonian Bong Bertrand.[4]

Pune

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On 23 June 2012 it was officially confirmed that Moga had signed for Pune F.C. of the I-League on a one-year deal.[5] On 15 December 2012, he struck twice to drub defending champions Dempo S.C. 5–1 at Nehru Stadium. On 22 December, he again struck a brace to beat Prayag United 2–1. He also scored one of league's fastest goal for the club, when he scored against United Sikkim in Gangtok in 14 seconds.[6]

East Bengal

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In June 2013, signed for Kolkata Giant East Bengal for one year.[7][8] On 24 September 2013, Moga scored an important goal for East Bengal in 2013 AFC Cup Quarter final against Semen Padang FC in Indonesia, through which East Bengal qualified for semi final for the first time in their history.[9]

Kator FC

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In 2015, Moga signed for Kator FC which currently plays in the South Sudan Football Championship.

Mohammedan SC

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In January 2016, Moga signed for Mohammedan which currently plays in the I-League 2nd Division.[10]

Rangdajied United

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In 2016, he moved to another I-League club Rangdajied United. He appeared with the club in Shillong Premier League.[11][12]

Brothers Union

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In May 2019 Moga joined Brothers Union of Bangladesh Premier League as a mid term transfer window signing.[13]

International career

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He scored South Sudan's first goal against Tusker from Kenya in the match celebrating South Sudan's independence from Sudan, whose national team he had represented in the past, appearing in 2002 and 2006 World Cup qualifying matches.[14] He scored his first international goal in the 2–2 draw with Uganda, South Sudan's first ever official international match.[15]

Career statistics

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International goals for Sudan

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Scores and results list Sudan's goal tally first.[16]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 18 June 2000 Stade de Omdurman, Omdurman, Sudan   Liberia 1–0 2–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
2. 2 July 2000 Khartoum Stadium, Khartoum, Sudan   Eritrea 2–1 6–1 2002 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3. 25 February 2001 Al-Merrikh Stadium, Omdurman, Sudan   Ghana 1–0 1–0 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
4. 10 March 2001 National Stadium, Freetown, Sierra Leone   Sierra Leone 1–0 2–0
5. 3 June 2001 Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt   Egypt 1–3 2–3 2002 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

International goals for South Sudan

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Scores and results list South Sudan's goal tally first.[17]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 10 July 2012 Juba Stadium, Juba, South Sudan   Uganda 2–2 2–2 Friendly
2. 27 November 2015 Bahir Dar Stadium, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia   Malawi 1–0 2–0 2015 CECAFA Cup
3. 28 March 2017 Juba Stadium, Juba, South Sudan   Djibouti 2–0 6–0 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4. 3–0
5. 22 April 2017 El Hadj Hassan Gouled Aptidon Stadium, Djibouti City, Djibouti   Somalia 1–0 2–1 2018 African Nations Championship qualification
6. 30 April 2017 Juba Stadium, Juba, South Sudan 2–0 2–0

Honours

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Al-Merrikh

Sporting Clube dé Goa

Pune

Mohammedan Sporting

References

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  1. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "NFT player — National team & Club appearances: Saeed Moga, James Joseph". national-football-teams.com. National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  2. ^ Malhotra, Kratik (11 September 2011). "I-League Club Analysis: Sporting Clube De Goa – The Underdogs". goal.com. GOAL. Archived from the original on 2 August 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  3. ^ "Indian Football Transfer News 2012–13". Live Indian Football. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. ^ "Sporting Club signs Cameroonian Bong". goanews.com. Panaji: Goa News Sports. Press Trust of India. 4 August 2012. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Pune FC bring on striker James Moga for season ahead". Pune Football Club. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  6. ^ Chattopadhyay, Hariprasad (17 January 2015). "Time to regain lost glory". telegraphindia.com. Kolkata: The Telegraph India. Archived from the original on 5 May 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  7. ^ "James Moga follows Ryuji Sueoka to East Bengal". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  8. ^ "East Bengal vs Rangdajied United 3 – 1". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  9. ^ "Report: Semen Padang 1-1 East Bengal - Goal.com". Archived from the original on 26 September 2013.
  10. ^ Sporting Media, Mohammedan (16 February 2016). "James Moga & Yusif Yakubu Joins Mohammedan". i-league.org. Kolkata, West Bengal: I-League. Archived from the original on 22 April 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Football: Rangdajied FC ends Shillong Lajong unbeaten run". thenortheasttoday.com. The NorthEast Today. 5 October 2016. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  12. ^ Digital Desk, Sentinel (5 October 2016). "Rangdajied down Lajong". thenortheasttoday.com. Guwahati: The Sentinel Assam. Archived from the original on 21 April 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Mid-term transfers see flurry of changes". thedailystar.net. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  14. ^ "South Sudan marks statehood with football match". The Guardian. London. 10 July 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  15. ^ Oryada, Andrew Jackson (11 July 2012). "South Sudan draw with Uganda in first ever match". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  16. ^ "Sudan – List of International Matches". rsssf. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  17. ^ "Moga, James Joseph Saeed". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  18. ^ "i-league-india-division-2". Goal.com. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Pune FC to play AFC Champions League play-off". Goal.com. 26 November 2013. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2021.

Further reading

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