Al Ahly Benghazi showcased dominance and composure in Bamako, defeating hosts CRBT 77–66 in the Road to BAL 2026. Led by Sofian Hamad’s 18 points, the Libyan champions controlled every quarter, proving their experience and intent to conquer Group A.
Last Updated on
October 19, 2025
When Al Ahly Benghazi touched down in Bamako, they came with a message: they didn’t just come to participate, they came to dominate. The Libyan powerhouse wasted little time showing their intent, controlling tempo, executing with precision, and walking away with a 77–66 win over hosts CRBT in the Road to BAL 2026 Group A action.
From the opening tip, the tone was clear. CRBT, backed by a passionate Malian crowd, tried to feed off home energy, but Al Ahly’s composure silenced every surge. The quarter-by-quarter breakdown told the story of a team that knew how to close: 15–13 in the first, 19–10 in the second, a stumble in the third, then a ruthless 26–16 finish to slam the door shut.
Benghazi’s game plan was simple: control the boards, move the ball, and punish every defensive lapse. Leading the way was Sofian Hamad, who dropped 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, orchestrating the offence like a veteran floor general. Alongside him, Mohamed Sadi and Derek Cooke Jr. brought the muscle and experience, ensuring that every CRBT run met an immediate response.
If CRBT had any hope, it came in the third quarter. Down 34–23 at halftime, the Malian side came out of the locker room with renewed fire. Samba Fall and company finally found rhythm, posting 27 points in a dominant third frame that cut the deficit and injected life into the arena. For a moment, it felt like CRBT might pull off a comeback worthy of home-court lore.
But Al Ahly Benghazi had other ideas. Like a prizefighter absorbing a flurry before delivering the knockout, the Libyan champions stormed through the fourth quarter with a 26-point explosion. Every possession felt deliberate, with high-percentage looks, crisp ball movement, and relentless rebounding. The closing stretch wasn’t just efficient; it was emphatic.
What separated the two teams was less about talent and more about maturity. Al Ahly Benghazi have seen this movie before: continental travel, hostile crowds, and high-pressure moments. Their calm under pressure was telling. Even when CRBT’s third-quarter run threatened to shift momentum, AHL never flinched. They kept scoring through every period, never suffering the “dry spells” that often doom travelling teams in African club play.
In contrast, CRBT struggled to sustain their pace. Their offensive rhythm came in bursts rather than waves. The first half’s offensive drought, with just 23 points in 20 minutes, left them chasing the game. Despite their third-quarter fireworks, they couldn’t overcome the fatigue or the defensive rotations that Benghazi tightened late.
Samba Fall, CRBT’s primary scorer, had moments of brilliance but couldn’t impose himself against Al Ahly’s structured defence. The hosts’ lack of depth showed as the minutes wore on. Once Al Ahly regained control in the fourth, CRBT couldn’t find another gear.
For Al Ahly Benghazi, this wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. A statement that they are here to stay among the elite of African basketball. Their combination of veteran savvy and physical dominance sets them apart in Group A. Their 77– 66 victory wasn’t flashy, but it was professional, exactly what championship contenders do.
The Libyan side’s consistency across all quarters was key. They didn’t rely on a single hot hand or a streaky run. Instead, they trusted their system, trusted their defence, and trusted their experience. It’s the kind of measured control that separates teams dreaming of the BAL from those ready to play in it.
For CRBT, this game will sting, but it will also teach. Their third-quarter resurgence showed they can compete at this level. What they lack in experience, they make up for in heart. If they can channel that energy from the third quarter into full-game focus, they’ll remain dangerous in this qualifying phase.
Al Ahly Benghazi’s performance was everything a contender should be: disciplined, physical, and unrelenting. CRBT, meanwhile, gave fans a glimpse of what’s to come if they can build on their moments of brilliance.
For now, though, Al Ahly Benghazi walk away from Bamako not just with a win but with a warning to the rest of Group A: they’re not here to compete, they’re here to conquer.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA/Road to BAL]
