THE Libyan champions, Al Ahly Benghazi, endured a nightmare start to their Basketball Africa League season campaign, dropping their first two games in the Kalahari Conference and raising early concerns about an early exit from the tournament.
However, a dominant performance in their third game of the Kalahari Conference has reignited their playoff hopes and reminded everyone that their pedigree remains very much intact.
For a team that arrived in South Africa as one of the favourites, with former MVPs Jean Jacques Boissy (2025) and Jo-Lual Acuil (2024) as defensive anchors, and a perfect Road to BAL qualifying record, Al Ahly’s first two games of the BAL season felt like identity theft.
First, they conceded 103 points to RSSB Tigers on opening night. Then came another collapse against Petro de Luanda, where they lost 104-90, leaving them at 0–2 and staring at elimination.
Their 118-9 win against Dar City on Tuesday night changed their fortunes.
Six Players in Double Figures
Six players scored in double figures. Led by Damion Baugh, who finished with 18 assists, a new BAL single-game record, along with 16 points.
South Sudan’s Acuil had a dominant double-double in the paint, alongside compatriot Majok Deng, who delivered an efficient 22-point performance. Donovan Williams added perimeter firepower, while Jean Jacques Boissy, the reigning MVP, embraced the sixth-man role with 18 points in just 19 minutes.
Currently, five players are averaging double digits.
What Changed in Game 3?
In the first two games, Al Ahly Ly relied heavily on Baugh as a scorer. Against Dar City, he transitioned into a facilitator role, allowing the offence to circulate through his playmaking. They recorded 28 assists in total, an improvement from their previous outings, where they had 24 in the first game and 14 in the second.
Bench production jumped from 21 points against RSSB Tigers to 32 against Dar City. Turnovers also decreased significantly from 10 in the opening fixture and 17 in the following fixture to just seven on Tuesday.
Another key difference was bench scoring: They recorded 32 points off the bench, compared to Dar City’s 18. Speaking to the media after the game, head coach Ahmed Soliman emphasised the adjustments made following their slow start.
“After the first two games, we sat down and focused on our weaknesses,” he said. “Offensively, we needed more teamwork and chemistry, and I think we showed that today.”
He also highlighted the defensive effort, particularly against Dar City’s key threat. “I liked the defence as well. Mohamed Sadi and Boissy did a great job on number six (David Michineau).”
For Soliman, the performance reflected the kind of balance his team is capable of. “When you have players who can contribute both offensively and defensively, it’s great for us.”
They seem to have found the formula; now they have to trust it. They must sustain this offensive balance rather than reverting to isolation basketball when pressure mounts.
Feeding their big men is key, as Acuil and Deng combined for 42 points on 17/28 shooting. And Boissy must build on his rediscovered confidence; the MVP cannot afford another 5-point outing as he did against the Tigers if this team truly aspires to lift the trophy in Kigali.
Playoff Hopes
The win moves Al Ahly Ly to 1–2 in the Kalahari Conference standings, still precarious but breathing. With four teams advancing to Kigali from each conference, the path back to the playoffs, once appearing treacherous, now seems navigable.
Yet the margin for error remains slim. At 1-2, they are tied with Dar City and trail the conference leaders, meaning every remaining game carries playoff implications.
To secure one of those four precious spots in Kigali, Al Ahly must treat their remaining conference games as elimination contests, building on the offensive chemistry and defensive intensity that finally surfaced in Game 3.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter for all the latest feature stories and previews of events on the African continent.
