ABIDJAN (Ivory Coast) – On the day Al Ahli Sport extended their unbeaten run, hosts ABC bounced back and Stade Malien took the lead in Group B.
Here’s how things went in Abidjan.
Tripoli, the only undefeated team since the start of the season
A 35-point advantage at one point in the match and complete domination in the paint sealed the deal for Libyan champions Al Ahli Tripoli Sport Club who beat Spintex Knights of Ghana 101-69.
Thanks to this victory, coach Fouad Chakra’s men are now 2-0 in this phase of the Elite 16 and 4-0 overall in the Road to BAL 2025, while the Ghanaian champions lost their second game in a row, giving them an overall record of 1-4.
With Breath Yak
Al Ahli Tripoli converted more than half of their shots (39 for 74) and their 60 points near the basket were almost as many as those of the Spintex Knights (69).
Naseim Badrush and Deng Angok Yak Deng led the way with 21 points each, the latter adding 10 rebounds to his account.
James Amotoe led the Spintex Knights with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Al Ahli Tripoli’s victory over Spintex also means the Libyan club remains the only undefeated team in the West Division with a 4-0 record.
Djambo carries a tireless Stade Malien
Less than 24 hours after surprising ABC Fighters 90-80 in overtime, Stade Malien reminded everyone that its mission remained the BAL by beating Chaux Sports of DR Congo 72-65.
The Mali champions are now 2-0 in the Elite 16 and look well placed to secure a semi-final place while Chaux Sport, who finished 4-0 in the group stage last week in Douala, lost their second match in a row.
Chaux Sport’s first lead (4-0) didn’t last long until Ibrahim Djambo scored a three-pointer before Mahamane Coulibaly’s layup gave the Malians the lead (5-4) .
Ibrahim Djambo
Elisee Tshiende gave Chaux Sport the lead again (6-5), but a new basket from Djambo (8-6) allowed Stade Malien to win a close victory.
The BAL 2023 semi-finalists led by 21 points (57-36) in the third quarter before signing the decisive triumph.
Coulibaly led Stade Malien in scoring with 25 points and Djambo, who scored 4 of 7 from beyond the arc, contributed 18 points.
The KSA bench is essential again
Kadji Sport Academy (KSA) outlasted Mighty Barrolle to remain undefeated in Elite 16.
For the second consecutive match, the Cameroonian champions relied on their bench to overcome a resilient Mighty Barrolle team, looking for their first victory of this Elite 16 season.
Jean Paul Njiki (12), Makhtar Gueye (12) and Kenneth Kadji (9) came on to turn the tide of a match that saw the Liberian champions take the biggest lead of the match – an 11-point advantage .
Ultimately, KSA settled for an 81-75 victory, their second consecutive Elite 16 triumph, before their clash against Al Ahly Tripoli on Thursday, November 7.
The locals are pulling together
Hosts ABC Fighters bounced back with a 90-51 victory over Moanda Basket after a disappointing start in the Elite 16, with a 90-80 overtime loss to Stade Malien.
ABC and Moanda share a 1-1 record in Group B with one game remaining. The Ivorians, however, occupy second place thanks to a better points differential than the Gabonese.
FIBA
