In a monumental leap forward for African basketball, two underdog nations, South Sudan and Cape Verde achieved historic victories at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
South Sudan, a nation that gained independence only in 2011 made history by securing its first-ever victory at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
South Sudan beat China 89-69 while Cape Verde beat Venezuela 81-75 at Okinawa, Japan.
For a country that is one of the world’s least-populated nations with fewer residents than any country that qualified for the Basketball World Cup, Cape Verde’ s win was a major sporting achievement.
The wins meant both teams are in contention for the second round of the World Cup and they remain very much in the race to become Africa’s automatic qualifier for next summer’s Paris Olympics.
”I’m still speechless, I feel like I’m in a dream right now, but the win was so big for us and our country and our families. We made a statement. Even though we’re the smallest country, we have so much heart, said Nuni Omot of South Sudan.
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They were the two lowest-ranked nations in the 32-team field to begin the tournament, both countries getting to the World Cup for the first time.
South Sudan is ranked 62 worldwide by FIBA the sport’s global governing body while Cape Verde is ranked 64.
”I’m just blessed and honoured to be a part of this,” South Sudan’s Nuni Omot said.
“This journey so far, it’s just been an emotional and amazing feeling for me and I know everyone else on the team feels the same way as well.”
Africa has long been considered the sleeping giant in global basketball and big strides have been made in recent years through investment such as academies that the NBA has built to identify and develop promising young players.
South Sudan plays Serbia on Wednesday while Cape Verde will take on Dallas Slovenia.
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