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English BAL Playoffs: Al Ahly Ly thump Club Africain 98-80 to secure Semifinal Ticket
KIGALI— Libyan giants Al Ahly Ly punched their ticket to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) semifinals with a dominant 98-80 victory over Tunisia’s Club Africain in the second leg of their quarterfinal clash at the BK Arena on Monday afternoon.
Match report and tactical analysis
Following a nail biting, one-point victory (88-87) in the first leg on Saturday, head coach Joe Ghattas’ men left nothing to chance in the rematch. They dismantled Club Africain’s perimeter defense and turned a tight North African derby into a second-half blowout. The victory secures Al Ahly Ly a spot in the final four as they continue their hunt for the BAL championship banner.
Club Africain came onto the floor desperate to overturn their aggregate deficit. Relying on their trademark grit and veteran playmaking from Tunisian internationals Omar Abada and Oussama Marnaoui, the Tunis based side matched Al Ahly Ly blow for blow early on. However, the Libyan side’s depth began to stretch Club Africain’s rotations as the second quarter closed.
The game shifted decisively in the third quarter. With star center Jo Lual Acuil Jr. drawing immense defensive gravity in the paint, Al Ahly Ly’s backcourt found open space. Guard Charlie Moore and forward Majok Deng paced the Libyan offense, systematically breaking down Club Africain’s zone defense.
Unlike the first leg where Club Africain fought back in the dying minutes, Al Ahly Ly sustained their defensive intensity through the fourth quarter. Donovan Williams anchored a perimeter defense that forced multiple turnovers, turning defensive stops into transition points. Club Africain simply ran out of gas, struggling to keep pace with Al Ahly Ly’s bench depth, which completely out-hustled the Tunisian reserves.
What’s Next
With the quarterfinals cleared, Al Ahly Ly shifts its focus to the semifinals at BK Arena. After finishing as runners-up in the 2024 BAL season, the Libyan powerhouse looks sharper, deeper, and heavily favored to make a return to the championship game.
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