This victory at Lille's Pierre Mauroy Stadium marks South Sudan's first Olympic basketball win, following their qualification as Africa's top finisher in last year's World Cup. Marial Shayok contributed 15 points, and South Sudan will next face the US on Tuesday.

Puerto Rico led throughout the first half, but their momentum was disrupted when top scorer Jose Alvarado left late in the second quarter with a sprained ankle.

Alvarado returned early in the third quarter and finished with 26 points and five assists, while Tremont Waters added 18 points. Despite Alvarado's return, South Sudan took control late in the game, building a 13-point lead with just over three minutes remaining.

Alvarado was dominant in the first half, scoring 19 points before his injury. After returning to the court in the third quarter, he couldn't turn the tide for Puerto Rico. 

Kuany Kuany's three-pointer sparked an 11-0 run, giving South Sudan their first lead at 56-54, which quickly grew to eight points. South Sudan outscored Puerto Rico 19-10 in the final quarter to secure the win.

Anthem blunder

Amid expected mishaps at Paris 2024, the South Sudan basketball team experienced one firsthand when the wrong anthem played over the tannoy, though that certainly didn't stop them from making history!

South Sudanese fans quickly voiced their frustration, waving flags and shouting until the incorrect anthem was stopped. South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has its own distinct anthem. 

During the pause as organisers searched for the correct anthem, the entire Stade Pierre-Mauroy erupted in applause to show solidarity with the South Sudan team and their fans. Players from the Puerto Rico national team also joined in the support.

Erreur technique et mauvais hymne pour le Soudan du Sud, mais que dire de cette réaction du public 😍

Le meilleur de #Paris2024, c'est à suivre sur Eurosport et Max pic.twitter.com/zoasuTHeBs

— Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) July 28, 2024

Though the stadium was not yet at full capacity, attendance was nearing 27,000. After a brief delay, the correct anthem was played, and fans reaffirmed their support with resounding ovations.

South Sudan and Sudan have a long history of conflict, culminating in South Sudan gaining independence after decades of civil war. Disputes over borders, resources, and political power continue, leading to intermittent clashes and instability.

This isn't the first error by the Paris 2024 organizers. During the opening ceremony, South Korea was mistakenly introduced as North Korea, and when Tunisia was announced, Turkiye's name appeared on the screen.