JUBA (South Sudan) - Presented with a second chance to qualify for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021, South Sudan are working around the clock to prepare their team ahead of the Pre-Qualifiers from October 23-25 in Yaounde, Cameroon. 

Locally based players are undergoing training four times a week every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday in non-residential camp as they look to gain game fitness after more than six months of no action because of the coronavirus pandemic that brought all sports activities to a halt in March.

The South Sudan Basketball Federation (SSBF) summoned the locally based players and those based in neighbouring Uganda and Kenya for the tryouts at the Dr Biar Sports Complex in the capital Juba.

Speaking to FIBA.basketball, Majak Moun, a member of the technical team said, "We have so many players in the leagues in Uganda and Kenya so we wanted to give them an opportunity to tryout for the national team because it is an honour to represent your country and they would love to be a part of the team."

"We started with 30 players who play in our league here and cut down the number into half. We are still waiting for the borders to open in Uganda so that the ones based there can join in as well. It is very important for everyone to have a chance to be part of the team."

South Sudan lit Nairobi up in January at the Pre-Qualifiers

With Africa's tallest population and among the top 10 in the world, South Sudan has great potential to be a top basketball nation and the arrival of former NBA superstar Luol Deng as the SSBF president has brought hope to the youngest nation.

He brings massive experience of playing in the NBA for five different franchise teams in 15 years - exposure that is already reflecting in the energy amongst the players, coaches and the fans who have embraced the coming of a new dawn. 

"There is a lot of positive energy around the team right now. We also have so many players across the continent and around the world who are doing very well and playing at the highest level so the future is very bright for South Sudanese basketball."

South Sudan won four of their five games at the Pre-Qualifiers in January losing to hosts Kenya 74-68 in a very highly contested game that brought out the best from both teams.

Kenya, who had reached the final of the FIBA AfroCan - a tournament organised for players that ply their trade on the African continent, built on that experience to come out on top. 

Moun admitted that, "We only had a week to prepare for that tournament but we still gave our very best. Kenya have been together for a long time. We have now decided to start preparations early enough so that the players have time to gel. We shall intensify the training next month ahead of the tournament in Yaounde. We want to qualify for the Qualifiers in November. That will give us a chance to go to the AfroBasket."

South Sudan will be up against Cape Verde, Chad and Zimbabwe in the tournament in the Cameroonian administrative capital of Yaounde from October 23-25. The winner of this event will join Group E with Egypt, Morocco and Uganda in Alexandria from November 27-29.

FIBA