Prophet Abraham Chol trains at Nimra Talata basketball court. (Awan Moses/Eye Radio).

As South Sudan hope to stand a grueling test in their historic FIBA World Cup debut, spiritual leader Abraham Chol said he strongly believes the Bright Stars are favorites to be crowned champions.

South Sudan will play Puerto Rico on August 26, in their Group B opening preliminary matches of the 2023 Basketball World Cup, in Manila, The Philippines.

Ranked 62nd by FIBA, Bright Stars were unbeaten in a first qualification campaign and rose to top list of the continental basketball arena with a perfect winning record, the pinnacle of which was beating defending champions Tunisia.

Dressed in basketball outfits and looking fit, Abraham Chol, a former basketballer-turned preacher, relives his glorious youth days of the beautiful game by training at the Nimra Talata Basketball Court.

In an exclusive interview with Eye Radio on Friday, Chol spoke with optimism and proclaimed victory on the national basketball team debuting on Saturday.

“What I want to say is that we are the winners. I want to declare to my brothers and sons, we are the winners, this cup belongs to us,” Chol said.

“To know the reason why we cannot win this cup, I need somebody to explain it to me. I believe in myself and by my people we can win this cup.”

The outspoken religious leader, who came out of prison five months ago said there is no reason to doubt South Sudan’s “huge” potential of winning the tournament.

Abraham Chol said he used to play basketball in Khartoum and Egypt before “God called me” to become a spiritual leader.

He called on young people to join sport activities saying it is beneficial for their physical, spiritual health, and mental health and enhance better relationship with other people.