Al-Ahly Benghazi overpowered Moanda BB 85–68 with dominant interior play, balanced scoring and disciplined defence, extending their unbeaten Road to BAL run. Despite Moanda’s late surge, the Libyan champions maintained control throughout and strengthened their push for Elite 16 qualification.
Last Updated on
November 15, 2025
Al-Ahly Benghazi continued their remarkable form in the 2026 Road to BAL tournament on Tuesday night, overpowering Moanda BB 85–68 in a Group B clash held in Praia. The Libyan champions showcased their strength, balance, and discipline to register their fourth consecutive win of the campaign — and their first in the highly competitive Elite 16 stage.
Moanda BB, who had impressed earlier in the preliminary round in Kinshasa with a flawless 2–0 record, found themselves outmatched by a more experienced and physically imposing Benghazi squad. The Gabonese side opened the scoring through Cedric Tsangue, who drove to the basket for a quick layup, but that would be their only moment in front. Moments later, Adrees Zeew buried a three-pointer to give Benghazi the lead — one they would never relinquish for the rest of the contest.
From that point, Al-Ahly Benghazi dictated the tempo on both ends of the floor. Their crisp passing, inside presence, and disciplined defense set the tone for what became a statement performance. Croatian forward Tomislav Zubcic and Guinean big man Alpha Kaba dominated the paint, controlling rebounds and limiting Moanda’s second-chance opportunities. Their interior dominance frustrated the Gabonese offense and allowed Benghazi to push the pace in transition.
By halftime, Al-Ahly had built a comfortable cushion, and they extended it further in the third quarter. At one stage, the Libyan club surged ahead by as many as 30 points, leaving Moanda with little room for recovery. The scoring depth on display from Benghazi was impressive: new addition Marcos Wright led the team with 17 points, while John Jordan contributed 13 and Adrees Zeew added eight.
Despite Moanda BB’s struggles through the first three quarters, they showed flashes of resilience in the final period. The Gabonese side outscored Benghazi 24–11 in the fourth quarter, thanks to energetic play from Desire Mouzita and Dolivitch Moupomo, who combined for 26 points. However, the late push was more about pride than momentum, as Al-Ahly’s dominance earlier in the game had already sealed the outcome.
Speaking after the game, Moanda’s representative Marvin Mapaga admitted his team had been physically overwhelmed.
It was tough for us,
he said.
They have good big guys inside who can score and rebound. We were unable to contain their physicality. We have to take more shots and attack the basket more. Another area for improvement is our rebounding.”
Meanwhile, Al-Ahly Benghazi captain Sofian Hamad credited his teammates for maintaining composure and focus.
“The most important thing for us was winning. It’s always hard to start a competition with a win, but we managed to keep our composure,” Hamad said. “Moanda played tough, but we stayed focused because we knew how important it was. We’ll try to maintain our momentum and qualify for the BAL.”
He also praised his teammates’ performances, highlighting the impact of Marcos Wright, Alpha Kaba, and Miroslav, who all played crucial roles in the victory.
With this win, Al-Ahly Benghazi has positioned itself as one of the top contenders in the West Division Elite 16, sending a clear message to its rivals. They will next face New Tech Université on Wednesday, aiming to extend their winning streak and inch closer to BAL qualification.
Moanda BB, on the other hand, will look to bounce back when they meet Spintex Knights, hoping to recover their early-season form and keep their Elite 16 dreams alive.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA/WBLA]
