Al Ittihad of Egypt and Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers both claimed victories in the second round of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Kalahari Conference, held in Rabat, Morocco. Al Ittihad narrowly defeated Mali’s Stade Malien 72-69, while Rivers Hoopers emerged victorious with an 88-82 win over Morocco’s FUS Rabat. Both teams now sit atop the conference standings with two straight wins, while Malien and Rabat are still seeking their first victories in the competition.
In the opening game, Al Ittihad’s Majok Deng was the standout performer, contributing 21 points to lead his team to a hard-fought win. The game was closely contested, with Stade Malien’s Cartier Diarra putting up 19 points. Al Ittihad’s more efficient offense proved to be the difference, as they capitalized on key opportunities. Despite a strong showing from Diarra, Malien’s struggles in execution ultimately led to their second consecutive loss in the competition.
For Rivers Hoopers, their matchup against FUS Rabat was equally competitive. The Hoopers, led by Madut Akec, secured the win thanks to Akec’s 25 points and eight rebounds. The game was tight throughout, with Rabat showing resilience, but ultimately the Hoopers outpaced their opponents in key areas. Akec’s performance was complemented by Peter Olisemeka, who dominated the boards with a game-high 14 rebounds. Hoopers’ rebounding advantage was crucial in maintaining their edge, as they outrebounded Rabat 43-36, while the Rabat team struggled to convert offensive opportunities. Despite the strong defense from Rabat, including six blocked shots, Hoopers’ offensive balance was too much for the hosts to handle.
Both games showcased intense action, with each team fighting hard for supremacy. Al Ittihad’s win was particularly impressive, given the tight nature of the game and the fact that they had to rely on smart plays and efficient scoring to edge out Stade Malien. Meanwhile, Rivers Hoopers proved their depth and team-oriented approach, overcoming the strong individual performances from Rabat to secure the win.
Looking ahead, both Al Ittihad and Rivers Hoopers will continue their push for the top spot in the Kalahari Conference. The two teams will face off against each other in the next round, which is expected to be a highly anticipated matchup. For Stade Malien and FUS Rabat, they will be hoping to regroup and turn their fortunes around when they meet each other on Tuesday. The upcoming games will be crucial for all four teams as they seek to improve their standings in the ongoing BAL season.
With the competition heating up, the stakes for the Kalahari Conference remain high, and fans can expect more thrilling basketball action as teams continue to battle it out for supremacy. Both Al Ittihad and Rivers Hoopers have shown they are contenders, and their matchups against each other will likely have significant implications for the overall standings. As the season progresses, every win and loss will play a critical role in shaping the path toward the championship.
