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German BAL 2026: Heartbreak in Kigali as Al Ahly Benghazi edges Club Africain in absolute thriller
KIGALI, Rwanda — Basketball at its absolute finest often borders on cruelty, and the Tunisian giants Club Africain learned that the hard way tonight. In a breathtaking, wire to wire Basketball Africa League (BAL) opening playoff clash, Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi emerged victorious with a razor thin 88-87 win, breaking Tunisian hearts with a decisive bucket in the final seconds.
The BK Arena, hosting the pinnacle of African club basketball, bore witness to an instant classic. It was a game defined by wild momentum swings, physical paint battles, and tactical chess moves between two North African heavyweights
A Tale of Two Halves
Al Ahly Benghazi entered the tournament riding the momentum of an undefeated Elite 16 West Division run and heavily backed by their intensive training camp in Greece. Early on, they looked every bit the dominant force, leveraging their deep rotation and perimeter shooting to build a narrow cushion.
However, Club Africain, fueled by their signature grit, refused to back down. Orchestrating a furious second half comeback, the Tunisian squad locked down defensively, turning the match into a high-stakes, possession-by-possession dogfight.
The Final Countdown
With less than a minute remaining on the game clock, the tension inside the arena was palpable. The teams traded spectacular clutch buckets, and Club Africain clawed their way into a one-point lead, seemingly holding all the cards.
But the final possession belonged to the Libyan champions. With the clock ticking down into single digits, Al Ahly Benghazi executed a flawless final play, driving through a collapsing Tunisian defense to score the game-winning bucket. Club Africain’s desperation heave at the buzzer clanged off the iron, triggering wild celebrations from the Benghazi bench.
For Club Africain, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow after playing near flawless basketball when it mattered most. For Al Ahly Benghazi, it is a statement victory that proves their perfect qualifying run was no fluke.
If this opening matchup is anything to go by, the 2026 BAL playoffs are bound to be an unforgettable ride. Stay tuned to Rab Sports News for full post game analysis.
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