Al Ahly (Benghazi) Archives

Petro’s BAL triumph opens a new chapter for Angolan basketball

(KIGALI) The Petro de Luanda team woke up on Sunday with that championship feeling. They will head home to Angola, knowing they are Africa’s number 1 club. After three frustrating years of consistently finishing in the top four in the BAL, winning the continental title at the fourth attempt, in Season 4 of the competition must be extra sweet for Petro.

The Os Tricolores secured a thrilling 107-94 victory over Al Ahly Benghazi, who made BAL history by becoming the first Road to BAL team to make it to the final.

Losing coach Ivan Jermic of Al Ahly praised his team’s effort and acknowledged Petro’s superior defence. “They played a really good game tonight (Saturday). We were in the game for the first three quarters but they played good defence. They pushed us away from the basket and gave themselves opportunities to score on fast breaks,” Jermic reflected. “My players gave the maximum but tonight Petro won.”

Childe Dundao at the BAL — **Childe Dundao played his part in Petro’s successful BAL Season 4 campaign. Picture: BAL**

The Serbian acknowledged the significance of their journey, “For Al Ahly, this is a big deal. This is the first time they have played in this kind of competition. This is good quality basketball, the organization is really good. We are happy that this kind of competition exists. I believe Africa will be exciting in the next 20 years,” Jermic stated.

Standout performances from key players drove Petro’s victory. Nicholas Faust was exceptional, scoring 27 points, while Markeith Cummings added 20 points, demonstrating his leadership on and off the court. “I was one of the leaders in the locker room and our main thing was to always stay confident and together whether we are down 30 or 40. Just believe in each other and we showed it,” Cummings stated.

Reflecting on the depth of Petro’s roster, Cummings added, “Our bench – we have a lot of guys so we can go up to the ninth or tenth man in the rotation and I think they go up to four or five and that’s about it. So we used all our firepower.”

Petro’s captain, Carlos Morais, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement. “This means everything to us. We’ve been trying to get this trophy for four years. And to get it now, it means a lot not just for Petro but for Angolan basketball. Now we see hope at the end of the tunnel. Next year Angola is going to host the AfroBasket, so winning this trophy means a lot for everybody,” Morais shared.

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Reflecting on their journey and the impact of former coach Neto, he explained, “I’m never gonna compare coaches and philosophies, but I’m gonna take this moment to thank Coach Neto for everything he did for us because he is part of what just happened. He is part of the group that we have. He is the one who put everything together.”

Jo Acuil, who won the Defensive Player of the Year, the Scoring Title, and the Most Valuable Player awards, spoke about his mixed emotions.

“I think I am gonna need a couple of days to process the impact of what really just happened. Obviously, the emotions are still very raw after the loss. I lost in game 5 in Australia as well, so it has been disappointing and that is all I can think about now,” Acuil said. “As far as what I have won? They hold significance but I am naturally a winner, and very competitive so I would give away all three of these to get the main trophy because as much as anything, I know what it meant to me, what it would have meant for Libya but the people of South Sudan as well.”

Jo Acuil in action at the BAL — **Jo Acuil won individual honours, MVP and top scorer at the BAL despite Al Ahly’s loss to Petro.**

Yanick Moreira emphasized the importance of teamwork and resilience in their victory. “I don’t know if you remember but last time I was here after we lost. And I have seen many faces who thought we were done. All we did was talk in the locker room because we knew we weren’t playing our basketball but when we started the third quarter – we made some stops and we kept running and that is how we won,” Moreira explained.

He also highlighted the significance of the win for Angola. “It means a lot for our country. We haven’t played great basketball – we have been coming for four years straight and many people were saying that Angolan basketball is done. So, we have done this for our country.”

As Petro de Luanda celebrates their hard-fought victory, they look forward to future challenges with renewed confidence and determination. The triumph marks a milestone for the team and the start of a new era for Angolan basketball.

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BAL Season 4 Final: Who will have the edge? Petro or Al Ahly

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(KIGALI) The final game of the BAL will see Petro de Luanda and Al Ahly Libya battle it out for the championship. Both teams demonstrated exceptional skill and determination in their semi-final victories.

Petro de Luanda:

Path to Semi-Finals: Petro secured a narrow 66-65 win against AS Douanes in the quarter-finals, showcasing their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Nicholas Faust’s clutch three-pointer in the final seconds was crucial to their victory.

Semi-Final Recap: Petro showcased their depth and tactical acumen, in their semi-final battle victory over Cape Town Tigers. Despite a back-and-forth battle, Petro’s Nicholas Faust hit crucial three-pointers in the second quarter to build a lead. The Tigers fought back to tie the game and force overtime, but Petro outscored them 19-9 in the extra period, securing a 96-86 win.

Carlos Morais BAL final — **Carlos Morais will provide experience coming off the bench in today’s final: Pictures: The BAL**

Al Ahly Libya:

Path to Semi-Finals: Al Ahly pulled off an upset against defending champions Al Ahly Egypt with an 86-77 victory. Robert Golden’s 23 points, nine assists, and strong performances from Jo Acuil and Majok Deng, were paramount to their success.

Semi-Final Recap: Against the Rivers Hoopers, Al Ahly demonstrated their ability to adapt and overcome adversity. Despite losing an 11-point halftime lead and trailing briefly in the fourth quarter, they rallied to tie the game and push it into overtime. Their composure in the extra period, highlighted by clutch free throws and defensive stops, led to an 89-83 victory.

Key Players to Watch:

Petro de Luanda: Carlos Morais’ leadership and scoring will be critical, and Nicholas Faust’s timely shooting can change the game’s momentum.

Al Ahly Libya: Robert Golden, a key playmaker, and Jo Acuil, whose inside presence can dominate the paint.

Jo Acuiel of Al Ahly Benghazi — **Jo Acuil has been phenomenal on the boards and scoring for Al Ahly Benghazi.**

Strategic Insights:

Petro de Luanda: Petro needs to maintain their defensive intensity and ensure shooters, like Nicholas Faust, get open looks. Controlling the tempo and limiting turnovers will be crucial.

Al Ahly Libya: Al Ahly must capitalize on their strong inside game and maintain pressure on Petro’s guards. Effective ball distribution and exploiting mismatches can break down Petro’s defence.

Final Thoughts:

The BAL final will be a clash of titans, each vying for the ultimate prize in the BAL trophy. Fans can expect a display of athleticism, and strategy, but most especially of heart as these teams lay it all on the line.

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Petro and Al Ahly Benghazi to battle it out in BAL final

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(KIGALI) On Wednesday night, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) semi-finals produced two thrilling encounters (Rivers Hoopers vs Al Ahly Benghazi; Cape Town Tigers vs Petro de Luanda), which saw Petro and Al Ahly win in overtime.

In an electrifying match, Petro de Luanda secured a hard-fought 96-86 victory over the Cape Town Tigers in overtime. Both teams played relentlessly, leading to numerous lead changes and a dramatic finish that left fans on the edge of their seats.

The Tigers started strong, leading 16-15 at the end of the first quarter. Both teams demonstrated solid defence and efficient ball movement, keeping the game tight. However, foul trouble for the Tigers in the second quarter allowed Petro to gain a foothold.

With 7:40 left in the second quarter, back-to-back corner threes from Nicholas Faust put Petro up by six points. A turnover followed by an uncontested three extended their lead, making it 28-21 by halftime.

BAL action — **Nkosinathi Sibanyoni drives to the rim while being guarded by Markieff Cummins in the BAL semi-final on Wednesday. Pictures: The BAL**

The final quarter was a nail-biter, with the Tigers managing to tie the game at 77-77, thanks to Samkelo Cele’s clutch free throws, forcing the game into overtime. Petro’s resilience and tactical execution were evident as they outscored the Tigers 19-9, sealing their victory.

Petro’s Captain Carlos Morais praised the efforts of guard Samkelo Cele. “I love Samkelo, he is a great competitor, and from the last season, he has been growing and he is playing unbelievably. Coming into this game, the goal was to stop Cele because he is their best scorer and we respect him, I think he is gonna keep growing, he has a bright future.”

Coach Florsheim Ngwenya reflected on his team’s performance throughout the competition. “Congratulations to my guys because this is huge. Being at this stage of the competition gives everyone hope. We have done the impossible – it proves that South Africa has talent. However, how we organize the talent moving forward is important.

Petro will face Al Ahly Libya in the Finals on Saturday, and it’s a match-up that Morais looks forward to. “It’s going to be a battle, Solo Diabate is my good friend but it is gonna be a battle. I will try to not let him get the third one [title] and he will definitely try to stop me from getting my first one [title], but we are going to be ready to compete. I am sure it is going to be a good final.”

In the first semi-final of the day, Al Ahly Libya defeated The Rivers Hoopers 89-83, securing their spot in the finals. Al Ahly started the game strong offensively, finishing the first quarter with a 27-21 lead. By halftime, they had extended their advantage to 48-37, taking advantage of Rivers Hoopers’ turnovers and foul troubles.

Despite early struggles, the Rivers Hoopers displayed good ball movement and teamwork. However, three of their starters got into foul trouble, which impacted them down the stretch.

Al Ahly vs Rivers Hoopers in the BAL — **Jeremy Golden directs traffic for Al Ahly Benghazi during the BAL semi-final against Rivers Hoopers.**

Al Ahly Coach Ivan Jermic commented, “On paper, they are better than us, but statistics lie. Only their free-throw shooting was different. They shot 45% from the free throw line, and I think that is what determined the game.”

The third quarter saw a remarkable comeback from the Rivers Hoopers. Will Perry sparked the revival with back-to-back three-pointers, bringing his team within two points. The Rivers Hoopers continued their momentum into the fourth quarter, briefly taking an eight-point lead with six minutes remaining. However, Al Ahly fought back to tie the game and push it into overtime, ultimately securing their victory.

Coach Ogoh Odaudu says they consumed energy trying to close the score. “I think we spent a lot of energy trying to get back into the game. We dug ourselves out of a 14-point hole, but what’s done is done.” Despite the loss, Odaudu was pleased with his team’s efforts. “I am proud of our team. We hold our heads high. Nobody believed in us, but we are here. Unfortunately, our fairytale run has come to an end, but the third-place game still means a lot to us, and we are ready for it.”

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Tigers and Al Ahly Benghazi stamp their BAL semi-final tickets

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(KIGALI) – Last night’s BAL quarter-final match-ups at the BK Arena were reminiscent of the conference games, as familiar foes went head-to-head for a spot in the semi-finals.

Al Ahly Benghazi upset defending champions Al Ahly (Egypt) 86-77, while in the second semi-final, the Cape Town Tigers won a nail-biter (91-88) against FUS de Rabat, where a Samkelo Cele buzzer-beater sent the game into overtime.

Tigers Rally together to defeat number 1 seed, FUS de Rabat

The Cape Town Tigers had perhaps their best start to a game this season. The South African team rectified the mistakes that cost them in their two losses against FUS in the Kalahari Conference. From the jump ball, the Tigers contained FUS’ three-point shooting and limited them to only 3/8 at half-time.

Despite FUS’ bench contributing 33 points, the Tigers had an answer for every strategy thrown at them, a sign they had finally found their defensive identity. The South African side forced FUS into committing unnecessary turnovers leading to 22 points from their defensive effort.

Nkosinathi Sibanyoni of the Cape Town Tigers — **Nkosinathi Sibanyoni holds the BAL’s in-game rebounding record after posting 25 rebounds against FUS Rabat in the semi-final on Sunday. Pictures: The BAL**

Defensive anchor Nkosinathi Sibanyoni was phenomenal and notched the BAL All-time single-game rebounding record with 25 rebounds. Sibanyoni grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, affording his team much-needed second-chance scoring opportunities. His impact was also felt on offence as he scored 16 points.

Tigers coach Florsheim Ngwenya gave an update on Dhieu Deing, who went down after a collision in the fourth quarter. He said Deing that he had popped his shoulder but that the guard would be okay.

About what led to the historic performance, Ngwenya said: “In our locker room, we have a quote that we put up on the board which says, ‘There are three kinds of people, the kind who make things happen, the kind who watch things happen and the kind who wonder what happened’. We didn’t want to be the third kind of person.”

Samkelo Cele, who finished the game with 30 points, reflected on the responsibility which comes with the big moments. “I love playing basketball and I love those moments. My team trusts me and so this pressure is a privilege. It gives me the joy to represent my country at the highest level, I cannot describe it. I just want to make South African basketball worth talking about, so I am happy to be here. But the job is not done,” said Cele.

FUS coach Said El Bouzidi felt his team did not take their opposition seriously. “The lesson is that there is no easy game at this level of the competition. We were not focused and our opponents killed us, the statistics say it all.”

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Al Ahly Ly Upset The Reigning Champions

Al Ahly Egypt (ASC) and Al Ahly Libya’s (AAL) third encounter this season was nothing short of what we expected. The style of play by both teams in the first quarter characterized their strengths. For Al Ahly (Egypt), it was their three-point shooting, while Benghazi relied on their inside game. However, the Cairo-based club’s inability to adapt until late in the second led to them going only 3/12 from deep to close out the half.

Benghazi’s Robert Golden, who dropped 23 points and dished out nine dimes, was the x-factor for the Libyans. The American point guard was unstoppable from behind the arc, going 5/9. Golden also did a great job at spreading the floor and got some good looks down low for Jo Acuil, who finished with a double-double (23 points and 11 rebounds) and Majok Deng, who finished with 25 points and nine rebounds.

Benghazi’s coach, Ivan Jermic reflected on his team’s strong performance. “Beatin Al Ahly is not easy, they are one of the best African teams – like Real Madrid. I am glad that we showed our personality through our good defence, but I am more happy because many people didn’t believe in our team,” said Jeremic.

Dhieu Deing during the BAL — **Dhieu Deing sustained a shoulder injury in the semi-final against FUS Rabat.**

The Serbian coach says the third quarter was their turning point. “Usually a quarter-final is the most difficult game because if you lose, you go home. The most important part of the game is the first six minutes of the third quarter and we went 10-0 in that period and I believe that we broke them in that period,” said Jeremic.

Two-time BAL-winning coach Julbe Bosch felt that their success in Cairo could have negatively impacted their performance.

“We looked much better as a team in Cairo. I take responsibility for tonight, maybe we had a disconnect in the chemistry. That (chemistry) is what you need when you get to this stage of the competition,” said Bosch. “We started the game without a sense of urgency and we didn’t play like a semi-final was on the line. I’m disappointed. I also want apologise to our fans, the management and everyone who did all that they could to prepare us for this.”

The Tigers will face the winner of today’s (Monday) quarter-final game between Petro de Luanda and AS Douanes. Later tonight, Al Ahly Ly will take on the winner of the US Monastir and Rivers Hoopers game.

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Will Al Ahly Benghazi enter the BAL with bang?

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AL Ahly Benghazi is one of the teams making their debut in Season 4 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The Big Tip shares some insights on the North African club ahead of the BAL.

Club: Al Ahly Benghazi

Country: Libya

History: The seventy-four-year-old Benghazi-based club have enjoyed some success in spurts in the Libyan basketball circuit. The Butchers have three Libiyan Basketball League championships to their name, two Libyan Super Cup titles and two Arab Club Basketball Championship trophies to their name.

They are not new to the continental scene, having made three FIBA Africa Clubs Championships Cup appearances and finished eighth in 2013.

Al Ahly has also won back-to-back (2012 and 2013) Arab Club Championships.

Route To BAL: During last year’s Road To BAL Division West, Al Ahly had to beat Cameroon’s FAP 93-84 to qualify for the BAL.

Coach: Benghazi recently signed Serbian coach Ivan Jeremic. The 62-year-old’s coaching career began in the youth teams of Serbian club Crevna Zvezda.

Jeremic has had more success as an assistant coach in Russia, winning EuroCups with Unics Kazan and Lokomotiv Kuban. He won four Russian League titles, two Russian Cup trophies with CSKA Moscow and a VTB League title with the same club.

As coach of Al Nasr in Bahrain, he won a league and cup title.

Al Ahly's Solo Diabate — **Point guard Solo Diabate has been an influential figure for Al Ahly. Picture: FIBA Africa**

Star Player: Cote D’Ivoire’s Solo Diabate is one of the continent’s finest point guards. A player with three FIBA World Cup appearances and two AfroBasket Silver medals and had a long career in Europe.

Going into the latter stages of his career, Diabate has enjoyed success at the club level.

The point guard has won two Basketball Africa League titles with Zamalek (Egypt) and US Monastir Tunisia. He has also won league and cup titles with US Monastir and Petro de Luanda.

In Benghazi’s Road To BAL campaign, Diabate had an 18.3 efficiency rating. And he averaged 13.5 points per game and 6.8 assists per game.

With the solid veteran experience of Diabate, and quality addition to the team Al Ahli could have a good trajectory in the BAL.

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