France, Oct. 20 -- Years of civil war and economic crisis have left young people in South Sudan with a legacy of violence and poverty - and with opportunities scarce, street gangs have flourished. RFI met one former gang member who believes football can offer marginalised youth a brighter future.

On a dusty field in Sherikat, a suburb in the south-east of South Sudan's capital Juba, children and teenagers practice dribbling balls and weaving between cones. They take turns playing against each other, different coloured jerseys dividing them into teams.

"This is Young Dream Football Academy," saysAlaak Akuei, who everyone calls Kuku. "We are working with young people. Most of them come from the street and some are in gangs."

Akuei, 24, u...