MANILA, Philippines (AP) — South Sudan is the world’s youngest nation, gaining its independence only 12 years ago. Cape Verde is one of the world’s least-populated nations, with fewer residents than any country that qualified for the Basketball World Cup. They stood tall on Monday at the World Cup. Both nations won games at FIBA’s biggest tournament for the first time. South Sudan beat China 89-69 at Manila, Philippines, and Cape Verde beat Venezuela 81-75 at Okinawa, Japan. The wins kept both teams in contention for berths in the second round of the World Cup, and they remain very much in the race to become Africa’s automatic qualifier for next summer’s Paris Olympics.
