A Historic Win in Villeneuve-d'Ascq

The South Sudanese basketball team achieved a historic milestone on Sunday, July 28, 2024, by securing their first-ever Olympic victory against Puerto Rico with a score of 90-79. This momentous game took place at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, a suburb of Lille.

Early Setbacks and Organizer Apologies

Before the game began, an error by the organizers played the wrong national anthem, leaving the South Sudanese players visibly unsettled. The organizing committee later issued a heartfelt apology to the South Sudan team and its supporters, acknowledging the significance of the mistake and pledging to investigate the error to prevent future occurrences. Despite this early setback, the correct anthem was eventually played, allowing the game to commence.

Overcoming a Rocky Start

Initially, the South Sudanese team struggled, missing easy shots while Puerto Rico capitalized with successful three-pointers. However, demonstrating remarkable resilience and collective strength, the "Bright Stars" rallied to overturn the deficit and secure a 90-79 victory. This win is a testament to their extraordinary teamwork, reminiscent of their impressive performance in the recent World Cup.

United by Shared Struggles and Triumph

The players' unity is rooted in their shared backgrounds and personal stories. Many of them, including Wenyen Gabriel who relocated to Cairo at just two weeks old, have faced significant challenges, such as fleeing conflict in their homeland. Their success brought tears of joy to South Sudanese fans, who celebrated emotionally around the stadium, proud of their team's achievement.

Dreams of Greater Success

The victory has ignited dreams of further success for South Sudan, with only 12 basketball teams competing in the Olympics and eight advancing to the quarter-finals. Even a third-place finish behind Serbia and the United States could be enough to propel the "Bright Stars" into the next stage.

Looking Ahead to the Next Challenge

Their next game is scheduled for Wednesday against the United States, the four-time defending champions. In a recent preparation match, South Sudan narrowly lost to the Americans by just one point, raising hopes for another strong performance.

This historic win not only elevates the South Sudanese basketball team on the global stage but also inspires a nation and a continent to dream bigger.