South Sudan makes more history

Monday, September 4, 2023

"This team is a beam of light. Like I keep on saying every post-game, we're bringing unity, camaraderie, love and friendship to (South Sudan)."

South Sudan have booked themselves a ticket to the 2024 Olympics with a 101-78 win over Angola at the Basketball World Cup in Manila.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bust a move if you’re headed to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a>! ? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForSouthSudan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForSouthSudan</a> ?? <a href="https://t.co/4vaLJLjRVd">pic.twitter.com/4vaLJLjRVd</a></p>— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ? (@FIBAWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC/status/1697933155678949846?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The South Sudanese qualified for the Paris Games - their first ever appearance at the Olympics - as the best-placed team from Africa at the World Cup, after Egypt were beaten by New Zealand.

South Sudan, ranked 62nd in the world, played their first official international just six years ago.

"I'm speechless right now. To be quite honest, it's so surreal. We're going to the Olympics," South Sudan coach Royal Ivey told reporters through tears.

"This team is a beam of light. Like I keep on saying every post-game, we're bringing unity, camaraderie, love and friendship to (South Sudan).

"This country has only been independent for 12 years. This is incredible. I take my hat off to my players because they trusted us from day one."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">? For the first time EVER, the South Sudan National Men’s Team qualified for the Olympics 2024!<br><br>Paris, we’re on the way! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForSouthSudan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForSouthSudan</a> ?? <a href="https://t.co/f6PhfyPkoB">pic.twitter.com/f6PhfyPkoB</a></p>— South Sudan Basketball (@SSBFed) <a href="https://twitter.com/SSBFed/status/1697954611418828900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Carlik Jones, who plays for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA, led the scoring for South Sudan on Saturday with 26 points and also had seven rebounds and 15 assists.

South Sudan, who were eliminated from title contention in the first round, beat China and tournament co-hosts the Philippines earlier in the World Cup but suffered defeats at the hands of Puerto Rico and Serbia.

At the past two Olympic Games, South Sudan has only sent track and field athletes.

"We're going to the Olympics. Thank you to the people of South Sudan for staying with us, supporting us," Ivey said.

"This is a great feeling. I wish I could bottle this up right now."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Goosebumps ?<br><br>South Sudan men's basketball team are on their way to their first-ever Olympics, just 12 years after becoming a nation. ??<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAWC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAWC</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForSouthSudan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinForSouthSudan</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/SSBFed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SSBFed</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBAWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIBAWC</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIBA</a></p>— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympics/status/1697924468386238950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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