A FOURTH versus fifth matchup in the combined standings sets up one of the most balanced quarterfinals of the competition, with Club Africain facing Al Ahly Benghazi in a series defined by contrasting styles and high individual talent on both sides.
Club Africain have emerged as one of the more composed teams in their first BAL appearance. Across the Sahara Conference, their identity has been built on structure, ball movement, and collective scoring responsibility, rather than reliance on a single dominant scorer. What has stood out is not just their execution. Their discipline in tight stretches; they rarely rush possessions, and they rarely drift away from their system, even when games become physical or momentum shifts.
The Abada factor
At the centre of their system is Omar Abada, who has established himself as one of the most productive guards in the competition. Averaging 19.2 points and 8 assists per game, Abada controls offensive flow while maintaining scoring efficiency. His ability to balance creation and scoring has been central to Club Africain’s consistency in tight games. He is also the player who naturally absorbs pressure possessions; late-clock situations, broken plays, and defensive mismatches tend to flow through him.
Oussama Marnaoui remains one of their most important late-game options. His game-winning three-pointer against Al Ahly Egypt earlier in the competition highlighted his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments. A proven BAL champion, he brings experience and shot-making reliability in closing possessions. In a series likely to be decided by late execution, his presence becomes even more significant.
Jesse Jones Jr provides energy and pace on both ends of the floor. While not always the primary option offensively, his impact comes through activity, transition scoring, and defensive pressure that helps set the tone for Club Africain’s system. He is often the player who shifts the tempo, turning half-court possessions into early-offence opportunities.
Their strength lies in collective execution. Different players have stepped up across different games, reinforcing a “next man up” approach that has carried them through multiple competitive fixtures this season. Even when one scoring option is neutralised, another tends to emerge without disrupting the structure.
South Sudan duo and new addition, Marei, improve Al Ahly’s hopes
Al Ahly Benghazi, however, bring a significantly higher concentration of individual talent. Jo Lual-Acuil remains one of the most dominant interior forces in the BAL. The 2024 MVP continues to produce consistent double-doubles regardless of game context. His scoring efficiency, size advantage, and touch around the rim make him one of the most difficult matchups in the competition. He also alters how opponents defend the paint entirely, often forcing early help rotations that open perimeter looks.
Majok Deng adds a highly efficient scoring profile from mid-range and beyond the arc. His ability to convert at a high percentage, particularly in catch-and-shoot situations, allows Al Ahly to stretch defences and punish rotations. When he is hitting early, it immediately changes defensive spacing.
Assem Marei adds more championship pedigree to the Libyan club’s line-up, having won with Al Ahli Tripoli last year. His IQ in the paint is unmatched, and he keeps things simple, which suits a team that had struggled in the Conference stages in South Africa.
The key issue for Al Ahly has been consistency. The team did not begin the competition in rhythm, but improved significantly as the Kalahari Conference progressed, eventually showing signs of cohesion and structural balance. However, they are still searching for a complete 40-minute performance, stretches where their defence, transition offence, and half-court execution all align.
The absence of Jean-Jacques Boissy, the reigning BAL MVP, due to injury is a significant loss, particularly in late-game scoring situations and in creating perimeter chances. While Al Ahly have the depth to absorb his absence, his presence is difficult to fully replace in high-pressure moments, especially when possessions slow down, and isolation scoring becomes necessary. Club Africain’s advantage lies in their cohesion and clarity of system. Al Ahly’s advantage lies in individual ceiling and interior dominance. The series is likely to be decided by execution in key stretches rather than overall dominance, particularly how each team handles momentum swings across the two-game format.
The edge: marginal — Al Ahly Ly on the ceiling, Club Africain on the structure. This could be one of the most evenly balanced series in the quarterfinals.
Game 1: 23 May, 14:00 | Game 2: 25 May, 15:00
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