OSIJEK (Croatia) - South Sudan have been riding a wave of firsts and the East African country will get another one next month with their first-ever game at a FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 African Qualifiers.

And Kuany Ngor Kuany and co. cannot wait to give some more joy to the South Sudanese people.

"FOR US TO GO OUT THERE AND GIVE PEOPLE SOME JOY, HAPPINESS AND POSITIVITY TO OURSELVES, OUR FAMILY AND OUR COUNTRY, WE DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. WE REALLY CAN'T WAIT."- Kuany Kuany

Kuany is expected to be one leaders for South Sudan as they get under way their Road to the 2023 World Cup at the February 25-27 window during which they will face Rwanda, Tunisia and Cameroon in Senegal.

"We are very, very excited. As players, as a country, and everyone that supports us, we are very, very excited. The AfroBasket Qualifiers were all our first time. We are beyond excited about playing in Senegal," said Kuany, who averaged 11.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals at AfroBasket last fall.

Kuany believes South Sudan playing in the next window will be something positive for the people back in the country to look forward to and about which can be happy.

"Because of what's going on in South Sudan, a lot of people are going through tough times and don't have a lot to look forward to. When we go out there and play and represent the country, whether we win or not, just the fact that we are out there representing South Sudan gives a lot of positive news to the county, a lot of positivity to people who don't have much to smile about.

"For us to go out there and give people some joy, happiness and positivity to ourselves, our family and our country we don't take it for granted. We really can't wait," he said.

The 27-year-old Kuany was on hand for South Sudan's qualification process to reach the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers and then played at those qualifiers as well.

He also played at the AfroBasket in Rwanda, where South Sudan were awarded a win over Cameroon by forfeit, lost to Senegal and then beat Uganda and Kenya to reach the Quarter-Finals. South Sudan's magical run ended there though as they lost to eventual winners Tunisia.

 
Looking back to the tournament in August and September, Kuany said his compatriots learned a lot looking ahead to the World Cup Qualifiers.

"We need to get used to playing better in the half-court game, for example when it comes to Tunisia as they have played together for a long time and try to slow it down. We need to be able to play that slow game as well," he said. "We tried to make them tired but they made adjustments and we need to make adjustments as well."

Kuany, who is making his European debut this season with Croatian first division club Osijek, said South Sudan will be challenged in all three games in Senegal. He was full of praise for their opening opponents Rwanda, who beat DC Congo and Angola at the AfroBasket last year. South Sudan and Rwanda also split their two games during the AfroBasket Qualifiers.

 
"Kudos to Rwanda for what they are doing with their basketball program. It's great to see for basketball in Africa. We are looking forward to playing them. They are always ready and play hard whether they are up and down. We know it's going to be a dogfight," he said. "They have improved so much since the last time we played them. They have a veteran team and we need to take care of that game before we think about Tunisia."

Kuany did not shy away from his excitement about getting to face Tunisia again.

"We are definitely, definitely looking forward to it, especially myself after I didn't play very well in that game," said Kuany, who had just 3 points on 1-of-4 shooting  in the 80-65 loss. "The whole country is looking forward to this game. We've been able to go back and adjust and see what we did wrong, but also the feeling that we lost to these guys and knowing it’s a revenge game and we will do our best."

Makram Ben Romdhane had 13 points and 12 rebounds against South Sudan at AfroBasket 2021

Kuany also warned against taking Cameroon lightly considering they lost all three games at AfroBasket 2021.

"Cameroon is definitely one of the best teams in Africa. They are a great team. Unfortunately they were battling with Covid and a lot of their players were not able to play," he said. "But Cameroon is a great team - a great physical and grind-it-out team. That's something we have to be prepared for - to grind it out. I know they will come ready, especially after they missed out on showing at AfroBasket"

Of course all three games will be a challenge, but they will be a challenge that Kuany and South Sudan will welcome - for the first time in history.

FIBA