Al Ahly Benghazi overpowered CRBT with a relentless two-way display, led by John Jordan’s sharp shooting and a deep supporting cast. Their pace, defensive pressure and balanced scoring sealed a dominant 103–76 win and the first West Division Elite 16 berth.
Last Updated on
November 16, 2025
Libyan champions Al Ahly Benghazi delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, overwhelming Centre de Référence Basketball de Tombouctou (CRBT) 103–76 to clinch the first of two West Division Elite 16 spots for the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL). What was billed as a potential thriller never materialised, as Benghazi’s intensity, experience, and depth proved far too much for the Malian side to handle.
From the very first possession, Benghazi made their intentions unmistakable. With a blistering 7-0 opening run, they seized control of the tempo and never relinquished it.
Their early defensive pressure forced CRBT into rushed decisions, while their crisp ball movement generated clean looks from inside and beyond the arc. By halftime, the 2024 BAL runners-up were already up 52–34, having stretched the lead to as many as 23 points during the second quarter. The message was clear: Benghazi arrived in Praia with business on their mind.
CRBT entered the matchup with hopes of engineering an upset, especially after pushing Benghazi to a hard-fought 77–66 result during the group phase in Bamako last month. But this time, the gap between the two sides felt significantly wider. Benghazi’s offensive rhythm rarely faltered, and the Libyan side consistently punished CRBT’s late rotations and turnovers. As the minutes ticked by, the encounter shifted from competitive to one-sided.
At the heart of Benghazi’s dominance was John Jordan, who set the tone with precision shooting and relentless pace. The guard knocked down four of his five three-point attempts, finishing with a team-high 20 points, and repeatedly ignited Benghazi’s transition game. His confidence radiated through the roster.
Off the bench, Marcos Knight made a massive impact with 19 points, showcasing his ability to bully defenders on drives while providing veteran composure. Meanwhile, Adrees Zeew and reigning BAL champion Mohamed Sadi added 14 points each, giving Benghazi one of the most balanced scoring charts of the qualifiers so far. Their bench outperformed CRBT’s second unit by a wide margin, further illustrating the depth that has made Benghazi a perennial BAL threat.
For CRBT, the bright spot came from Bamba Diallo, whose sharpshooting kept the scoreboard respectable. Diallo drained five of nine attempts from deep, finishing with 17 points in an inspired performance off the bench. Yet his scoring burst was never enough to shift momentum or disrupt Benghazi’s relentless flow.
After the loss, CRBT head coach Moctar Hamid acknowledged the challenge his team faced.
They were the better team. We lacked composure in the early stages of the game,
he admitted.
It was a totally different scenario to our game in Bamako last month. We had our fans and family cheering us on, and our motivation was much higher.
Though CRBT’s BAL dream ends here, they will still compete for third place on Sunday against the loser of Jeunesse Club d’Abidjan vs. Spintex Knights.
For Benghazi, however, the mission continues. Head coach Ahmed Soliman emphasized that securing the Elite 16 ticket is only the first step.
We want to win the title,
Soliman declared, already turning his attention to the upcoming First-Place game.
With momentum, confidence, and depth all working in their favor, Al Ahly Benghazi now stand just one win away from leaving Praia with more than just qualification—they’re chasing a statement.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA/WBLA]
