JUBA, (Xinhua) -- South Sudan held Uganda to a goalless draw during the first round of the African Nations Champions, CHAN 2018 qualifier played at in Juba on Friday.

Both teams had missed chances for goals at the first and second half respectively.

The Uganda Cranes had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half, and they threw away their second chance after South Sudan goalkeeper Khamis Daniel perfectly saved Crane’s captain Geoffrey Serunkuma’s penalty in the 50^th minute.

The Bright Stars goalkeeper also denied Serunkuma another clear chance in the 88^th minute of the hotly contested match played in front of thousands of cheerful South Sudanese and Ugandan fans.

Host South Sudan had two clear chances for goals in both halfs but wasted them.

South Sudan must overcome the Uganda Cranes in Kampala on July 22 for them to reach the next level of the tournament. The winner will face Tanzania or Rwanda in the final games of the qualifiers.

The CHAN competition is played among locally based players playing in their respective home leagues.

Kenya will host the 2018 event as DR. Congo seeks to defend the trophy they won in 2016.

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