1. Overview
James Joseph Saeed Moga (born 14 June 1983), also known as ジェームス・ジョセフ・サイード・モガJēmusu Josefu Saīdo MogaJapanese, is a former South Sudanese professional footballer who played as a striker. He represented both the Sudan and South Sudan internationally, becoming South Sudan's all-time top goalscorer with six goals in 18 appearances. His career spanned various clubs across Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bangladesh, and India, where he was noted for his prolific scoring ability.
2. Early life
James Joseph Saeed Moga was born on 14 June 1983 in the town of Nimule, South Sudan (which was then part of Sudan). Nimule is situated immediately north of the border between South Sudan and Uganda.
3. Club career
Moga's club career was extensive, encompassing numerous teams across various leagues in Africa and Asia. He played for several clubs in Sudan, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman before gaining prominence in the Indian and Bangladeshi football leagues.
3.1. Early Career Clubs
Before his notable stints in India and Bangladesh, Moga played for several clubs, primarily in Sudan and the United Arab Emirates, accumulating significant appearances and goals. His career began in 2000 and saw him move between clubs, consistently demonstrating his scoring prowess.
Club | Period | Appearances | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Al-Hilal Club (Omdurman) | 2000 | 10 | 2 |
Baniyas SC | 2000-2002 | 46 | 20 |
Al-Hilal Club (Omdurman) | 2002 | 5 | 0 |
Baniyas SC | 2002-2004 | 42 | 17 |
Al Rams Club | 2004-2006 | 57 | 33 |
Al-Merrikh SC | 2006-2007 | 30 | 14 |
Muscat FC | 2009-2010 | 27 | 24 |
Muktijoddha Sangsad KC | 2010-2011 | 22 | 9 |
3.2. Sporting Goa
Moga signed for Sporting Clube de Goa for the 2011-12 season of the I-League. During his time with the club, he established himself as one of their top scorers. His remarkable scoring ability in almost every match attracted the attention of many other Indian clubs, including Pune FC, who sought to sign him for the following season. He made 19 appearances for Sporting Clube de Goa, scoring 16 goals. Moga departed the club in August 2012 and was subsequently replaced by Cameroonian player Bong Bertrand.
3.3. Pune
On 23 June 2012, it was officially confirmed that Moga had signed a one-year deal with Pune F.C. in the I-League. He quickly made an impact, notably scoring two goals on 15 December 2012 to help Pune defeat defending champions Dempo S.C. by a dominant 5-1 margin at Nehru Stadium (Goa). Just a week later, on 22 December, he once again scored a brace, securing a 2-1 victory against Prayag United. During his tenure at Pune, Moga also scored one of the league's fastest goals, finding the net in just 14 seconds against United Sikkim in Gangtok. For Pune, he appeared in 24 matches, scoring 16 goals.
3.4. East Bengal
In June 2013, Moga signed a one-year contract with Kolkata giant East Bengal F.C.. A significant highlight of his time with East Bengal came on 24 September 2013, when he scored a crucial goal in the 2013 AFC Cup Quarter Final against Semen Padang FC in Indonesia. This pivotal goal allowed East Bengal to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time in the club's history. He played 14 matches for East Bengal, scoring 7 goals.
3.5. Kator FC
In 2015, Moga signed with Kator FC, a club that competes in the South Sudan Football Championship. During his time with Kator FC, he made 3 appearances and scored 2 goals.
3.6. Mohammedan SC
In January 2016, Moga joined Mohammedan, which was playing in the I-League 2nd Division at the time. He played 8 matches and scored 8 goals for the club during his period there.
3.7. Rangdajied United
In 2016, Moga moved to another I-League club, Rangdajied United. He also made appearances for the club in the Shillong Premier League. With Rangdajied United, he played in 12 matches and scored 14 goals.
3.8. Brothers Union
In May 2019, Moga joined Brothers Union of the Bangladesh Premier League as a mid-term transfer window signing. He played 11 matches and scored 6 goals during his spell with the club.
4. International career
James Joseph Saeed Moga had a notable international career, representing two different national teams: Sudan and South Sudan.
He played for the Sudan national team in the past, appearing in qualifying matches for the 2002 and 2006 World Cup.
Following South Sudan's independence from Sudan, Moga scored the new nation's inaugural goal in an exhibition match against Tusker F.C. of Kenya. This match was organized to celebrate South Sudan's independence. His first official international goal for South Sudan came on 10 July 2012, in the country's first-ever official international match, which resulted in a 2-2 draw with the Uganda national team. Moga is recognized as South Sudan's all-time leading goalscorer, having netted six goals in 18 international appearances.
5. Career statistics
The following tables summarize James Joseph Saeed Moga's career statistics, including his club appearances and goals, as well as his international goal records for both Sudan and South Sudan.
5.1. Club Career Statistics
Club | Period | Appearances | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Al-Hilal Club (Omdurman) | 2000 | 10 | 2 |
Baniyas SC | 2000-2002 | 46 | 20 |
Al-Hilal Club (Omdurman) | 2002 | 5 | 0 |
Baniyas SC | 2002-2004 | 42 | 17 |
Al Rams Club | 2004-2006 | 57 | 33 |
Al-Merrikh SC | 2006-2007 | 30 | 14 |
Muscat FC | 2009-2010 | 27 | 24 |
Muktijoddha Sangsad KC | 2010-2011 | 22 | 9 |
Sporting Clube de Goa | 2011 | 19 | 16 |
Pune F.C. | 2012-2013 | 24 | 16 |
East Bengal F.C. | 2013-2014 | 14 | 7 |
Kator FC | 2015 | 3 | 2 |
Mohammedan S.C. (Kolkata) | 2016 | 8 | 8 |
Rangdajied United | 2016-2017 | 12 | 14 |
Brothers Union | 2019 | 11 | 6 |
5.2. International goals for Sudan
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 18 June 2000 | Stade de Omdurman, Omdurman, Sudan | LBR | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |
2. | 2 July 2000 | Khartoum Stadium, Khartoum, Sudan | ERI | 2-1 | 6-1 | 2002 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
3. | 25 February 2001 | Al-Merrikh Stadium, Omdurman, Sudan | GHA | 1-0 | 1-0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |
4. | 10 March 2001 | National Stadium, Freetown, Sierra Leone | SLE | 1-0 | 2-0 | |
5. | 3 June 2001 | Alexandria Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt | EGY | 1-3 | 2-3 | 2002 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |
5.3. International goals for South Sudan
No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 10 July 2012 | Juba Stadium, Juba, South Sudan | UGA | 2-2 | 2-2 | Friendly |
2. | 27 November 2015 | Bahir Dar Stadium, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia | MAW | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2015 CECAFA Cup |
3. | 28 March 2017 | Juba Stadium, Juba, South Sudan | DJI | 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 | SOM | 1-0 | 2-1 | 2018 African Nations Championship qualification |
6. | 30 April 2017 | Juba Stadium, Juba, South Sudan | 2-0 | 2-0 |
6. Honours
Moga achieved several team and individual honours throughout his professional career:
- Al-Merrikh
- Sudan Cup: 2006
- Sporting Clube de Goa
- I-League 2nd Division runner-up: 2010-11
- Pune
- I-League runner-up: 2012-13
- Mohammedan Sporting
- Sikkim Gold Cup: 2016