In a historic moment at the Paris Olympics 2024, South Sudan's men's basketball team secured their first-ever Olympic victory with a remarkable 90-79 win over Puerto Rico. The game, however, began with a glitch as the wrong national anthem was played for the African nation.

Before the tipoff, the recorded national anthem for South Sudan was cut off after just 20 seconds, leaving both players and fans confused. Fans from both teams inside the Pierre Mauroy Stadium voiced their displeasure through boos. However, in a display of unity, South Sudan's players stood in unison with their hands over their hearts, awaiting the issue to be resolved. The Puerto Rican players mirrored this gesture in a show of solidarity.

Despite the initial setback, the anthem was restarted approximately three minutes later, this time with the correct track, prompting an ovation from the supportive crowd. With the anthem playing out in full, the South Sudanese players embraced each other and geared up for the much-anticipated game.

South Sudan coach Royal Ivey, who hails from the United States, commended the team's resilience and their commitment to representing their country. Reflecting on the anthem mishap, Ivey stated, "They messed up on the anthem, but they got it correct. We all make mistakes. But at the end of the day, these guys are brothers."

One of South Sudan's standout players, forward Nuni Omot, shared his disappointment at the disrespectful incident but also expressed gratitude towards the Puerto Rican players and the fans for their support. Omot stressed the importance of earning respect and showcasing South Sudan's capabilities on the global stage.

"It gave us fuel to the fire," Omot commented. "Obviously, we felt disrespected when that happened. We've got to still earn our respect. So, I feel like for us, we've got to continue to show the world what we're capable of. That was just a testament, people not respecting us still."

Despite the anthem mishap, the resilience demonstrated by the South Sudanese team and the support received from both Puerto Rican players and the fans inside the stadium showcased the true spirit of sportsmanship.

As South Sudan celebrates their first-ever Olympic victory, their historic win marks a significant milestone for their emerging nation, formed after enduring civil war and gaining independence in 2011. The team's triumph exemplifies their determination to overcome adversity and make their mark on the global stage of sports.