Anthem gaffe dismays South Sudan Olympic basketball players, fans

The African nation's basketball team looked distraught after the wrong anthem was played as they lined up before their clash with Puerto Rico.

South Sudan fans at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq jeered from the stands after the blunder.

The mistake was swiftly rectified and the correct anthem was played, with Puerto Rico's players and supporters applauding in unison.

South Sudan is competing in the Olympic basketball tournament for the first time.

"We present our most sincere apologies to the South Sudan team and their supporters," organisers told AFP.

"We were able to quickly interrupt the anthem which was broadcast in error and play the correct anthem before the start of the game."

Sunday's controversy echoed the gaffe at Friday's opening ceremony, when South Korea's Olympic team was incorrectly introduced as North Korea.