Category: Sports

South Sudan’s national basketball team has skipped 32 positions to become the World’s number 31st in the latest  FIBA Men’s World, topping Africa as number One.

This is as the bright stars earned 375.5 POINT.

Before the FIBA Men’s World Cup played in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia—from 25 August ended 10 September 202,  South Sudan was ranked 62.

South Sudan’s first-time participation in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 made everyone sit up and take notice.

The bride stars made history by beating China to claim a first win at the event, then pushing on to beat the Philippines and Angola.

The country has now qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris next year. This has resulted in a sensational climb of 32 spots in the rankings.

However, The USA reclaims pole position with 786.6 points after benefiting from their consistency at major tournaments over the last three summers.

The crowned FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 champions, Germany, stepped into the top three of the rankings for the very first time after moving up a massive eight places and onto 759.7 points.

Spain gained the second rank with   778.2 while the Eritrea, Haiti, and Cook Islands teams came at the end of the ranking 157,158 and 195 respectively.

FIBA’s rankings were changed in 2017 to a system that only takes results from the most recent eight years into account.

The Olympic golds from Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo factor into the current rankings, and obviously help after back-to-back failures to medal at the last two World Cups.

 

South Sudan National Football Team’s away win against Kenya’s Harambe Stars in a FIFA match on Tuesday may serve as a consolation to the bitter fans after bright stars were eliminated from AFCON last week after losing to Mali 4:0 in Bamako.

South Sudan took the lead through former Iranian club striker Tito Okello 8 minutes after the kickoff but thanks to great saves by Brights Stars goalkeeper, Gabriel who denied the counterparts back of the net.

The victory against Kenya at Kasarani Stadium is viewed a consolation to the fans who went angry on social media after the bright stars were eliminated from AFCON last week after losing to Mali 4:0 in Bamako.

The friendly game was part of the FIFA international break that will have an impact on the two teams in the FIFA ranking.

The Bright Stars have managed to overcome all the odds including the call from President William Rotu to all Kenyans to turn up and support Harambee Stars against South Sudan.

President Ruto’s Video that was shared on social media was urging Kenyan people to stand with their team in order to continue with good performance after they beat Qatar last week.

This is the first time South Sudan to beaten Kenya in Nairobi after the team met severally, especially in the regional games.

The friendly game is the beginning of South Sudan Bright Stars before the team takes part in world qualification next month.