South Sudan basketball team. (Photo: SSBA).

Bright Stars hope to secure a ticket to the 2o23 World Cup if it beat Senegal – one of the continent’s toughest teams later today, February 24, at Al Ittihad Stadium in Egypt.

The national men’s basketball team has already named a 12-squad for the encounter with the Lions of Terenga at 4:30 PM (CAT) in Alexandria.

They are Nunu Omot, Mareng Gatkuoth, Bul Kuol, Kuany Kuany, Padiet Wang, Deng Acuoth, Majok Deng, Peter Jok, Koch Bar, Kur Kuath, Sunday Dech and Deng Deng.

Sitting top of Group F after a top-level performance in the last window, the Bright Stars need just one win in their upcoming three games to make history by becoming the first African team to qualify for World Cup at the first attempt.

They will go up against Senegal, Egypt, and DR Congo in their last games in Alexandria from February 24-26.

“We’re currently in a good spot, however, the job is not yet done. We need to come to Egypt with the same hunger, mindset, and drive to play and win all games, despite needing only one to qualify,” team captain Kuany told FIBA.basketball interview.

Twelve of the continent’s strongest teams will compete for four World Cup tickets in the final window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Alexandria Egypt.

Cote d’Ivoire is the first African side to qualify after a 77-69 win against Cape Verde on Sunday.

Bright Stars rose to the top list of continental basketball with a perfect winning record in their opening three games, the pinnacle of which was beating continental defending champions Tunisia.