South Sudan made its Olympic basketball debut amidst an unexpected glitch with the national anthem, yet the men’s team achieved a remarkable victory over Puerto Rico.
Before the Sunday game started, the anthem for South Sudan was abruptly halted roughly 20 seconds in, with claims circulating online that Sudan’s anthem was played mistakenly instead. South Sudan secured its place at the Paris Games last year after emerging from civil conflict with Sudan to gain independence in 2011.
As the anthem played, both players and fans appeared bewildered, prompting boos from the crowd at Lille’s Pierre Mauroy Stadium. Fans began to clap while the Sudanese players, hand over heart, awaited the resolution of the issue.
In a gesture of solidarity, the Puerto Rican players followed suit.
About three minutes later, the audio track was restarted, met with cheers from the audience. Following the conclusion of the anthem, the South Sudanese players embraced, going on to execute one of the biggest upsets of the ongoing Olympics.
South Sudan made its Olympic basketball debut amidst an awkward anthem glitch
Fans express their reaction as the incorrect anthem played
Online claims suggest it was Sudan’s anthem that played erroneously
Carlik Jones scored 19 points, leading South Sudan to a comeback victory over Puerto Rico with a score of 90-79 in their Olympic opener on Sunday.
This victory marks South Sudan’s first in Olympic basketball, representing the country’s debut at the Games after qualifying as Africa’s top performer at last year’s World Cup. Marial Shayok contributed 15 points as South Sudan prepares to face the U.S. on Tuesday.
Puerto Rico held the lead through the first half of the Group C encounter but faced a setback when star player Jose Alvarado exited late in the second quarter due to a suspected sprained ankle. He returned early in the third quarter, finishing with 26 points and five assists, while Tremont Waters added 18 points.
However, South Sudan took charge in the final moments, establishing a lead of 13 points with just over three minutes remaining.
Wenyen Gabriel #9 of Team South Sudan dunks the ball during the match
A fan appears confused as another national anthem plays
Demonstrating tenacity, South Sudan nearly caused a major upset in an exhibition against the U.S. prior to the Olympics, and exhibited a similar fighting spirit on Sunday against Puerto Rico, a team they lost to last year in the World Cup.
Alvarado needed assistance off the court with 3.5 seconds left in the second quarter after landing awkwardly following a basket from teammate Carlik Jones. He immediately grabbed his ankle.
After play was halted, Alvarado remained in visible distress before medical personnel attended to him and took him to the locker room. In the first half, he was the standout player, leading Puerto Rico with 19 points.
He made a comeback shortly after the third quarter began and was back on the court with 7:52 remaining.
However, he couldn’t turn the tide for his team.
Omot sank a 3-pointer from the wing, initiating an 11-0 run that put South Sudan ahead for the first time at 56-54.
The lead extended quickly to eight points. Puerto Rico, supported by seven points from Alvarado in the third quarter, pulled the gap to 71-69 as they headed into the final period.
Yet, South Sudan outscored Puerto Rico 19-10 in the last ten minutes.
This victory was a landmark achievement, marking only the second instance of an African team winning a men’s Olympic basketball match since 1996.
