South Sudan’s British-Ghanaian Assistant Coach, Dzaflo Kwame Larkai, has revealed that their success through basketball has united the country in the last ten years more than politicians have been able to do.

Larkai cited a minister who commended the Bright Stars for the tremendous work the team has done to achieve success since its inception.

Hundreds of raucous fans were seen celebrating the East African country’s shock win over Puerto Rico on their Olympics debut during the Paris 2024 Basketball Tournament.

Despite their early exit from the competition following subsequent defeats to the USA and Serbia, South Sudan won hearts with their resilient performances.

Speaking to Joy Sports on how the team has united the country over the years, Larkai, born in England to Ghanaian parents, said, “I didn't realise the impact that it had until I was there.

“I've been there twice now, to Juba specifically, and I realised how it's kind of riled up the people in Unity.

“We were told by one of the ministers that we as a team, through basketball, have done more than they've been able to do as far as uniting the country in the last 10 to 15 years.

“You know, everyone's screaming SSD, SSD, wearing the jerseys and T-shirts. It's created unity. That's a testament to our guys, to their work ethic, to the programme, and to the vision.”

South Sudan is still recovering from a civil war that ravaged the country between 2013 and 2020, and the success of their basketball national team could be one of the sure ways to united the country.