Africa’s top-ranked basketball team, South Sudan’s Bright Stars, fell 80-88 to Guinea in their opening game of Afrobasket 2025.
The defeat stunned fans and basketball analysts alike, shaking confidence in the Bright Stars’ championship ambitions.
South Sudan entered the tournament shorthanded, missing key players such as Carlik Jones, Bul Kuol, JT Thor, Khaman Maluach, Marial Shayok, and Sunday Dech.
The absence of these star athletes severely limited the team’s offensive firepower and veteran leadership on the court.
Despite moments of strong play from the young squad, they struggled with consistency and failed to close out the game during crucial stretches.
Guinea’s balanced attack and relentless energy proved too much for South Sudan to handle, allowing the West African side to pull away in the final quarter.
This loss underscores the importance of depth and experience at the highest levels of competition.
For South Sudan, the path to the Afrobasket title now looks more challenging as they must regroup and overcome this early setback.
The Bright Stars will need to rely on their emerging talent and strategic adjustments if they hope to remain serious contenders in the tournament.
