In an exhilarating debut at the Paris Olympics, South Sudan secured their first-ever Olympic win by defeating Puerto Rico with a final score of 90-79. This victory marks a significant milestone for the South Sudan basketball team, as they made their presence known on the international stage.
The morning of the game saw a misstep as the officials mistakenly played the wrong national anthem for South Sudan before tipoff. However, instead of being disheartened by this error, the team used it as motivation to showcase their skills and talent on the court. According to player Nuni Omot, the mix-up with the national anthem fueled their determination to prove themselves.
Resilience and Determination
Despite facing a Puerto Rico team that had previously defeated them in the World Cup, South Sudan displayed remarkable resilience and determination throughout the game. With standout performances from Carlik Jones, Marial Shayok, and Omot, the team rallied in the second half to secure a notable victory.
Leading into the Olympics, South Sudan had nearly pulled off an upset against the U.S. team in an exhibition game. This extraordinary display of talent and tenacity continued in their match against Puerto Rico, where they demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level on the global basketball stage.
Puerto Rico faced challenges of their own as top scorer Jose Alvarado suffered an ankle injury during the game. Despite his return to the court in the third quarter, Alvarado’s efforts were not enough to overcome South Sudan’s determined performance. The South Sudan coach, Royal Ivey, praised his team’s unity and spirit in the face of adversity.
As South Sudan prepares to face the U.S. team in their next match, they carry with them the confidence and momentum gained from their historic win against Puerto Rico. With the world now aware of their capabilities, South Sudan aims to continue making a name for themselves in the Olympic basketball tournament.
Leave a Reply