Charlie Moore Masterclass Powers Al Ahly Ly into BAL Semi-Finals

Al Ahly Ly booked a spot in the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) semi-finals with an emphatic 98-80 victory over Tunisia’s Club Africain, delivering a performance that underlined why the Libyan champions are among the tournament favorites.

At the heart of the triumph was Charlie Moore, whose all-around brilliance proved too much for Club Africain to handle. The dynamic guard orchestrated the offense with precision, punished defensive lapses with timely shooting, and set the tone on the defensive end. By the final buzzer, Moore had compiled an outstanding stat line of 23 points and 13 assists, while also drawing five fouls and knocking down four three-pointers.

With a semi-final ticket on the line, Al Ahly Ly showed composure and maturity from the opening tip. Club Africain entered the contest needing to erase the one-point deficit from their narrow 88-87 loss in the first leg, but the Tunisian side quickly found themselves chasing the game.

Moore established control early, creating opportunities both for himself and his teammates. His ability to read defensive schemes and deliver accurate passes allowed Al Ahly Ly to maintain a steady offensive rhythm. Every time Club Africain threatened to gain momentum, Moore seemed to have an answer.

While Moore was the catalyst, he was far from alone. Donovan Williams delivered another excellent offensive display, leading all scorers with 25 points. Majok Deng added 15 points, providing energy and leadership on both ends of the floor, while veteran center Assem Marei contributed 11 points and offered a strong interior presence.

Despite the final margin, Club Africain showed resilience. The Tunisian side responded well in the second quarter, outscoring Al Ahly Ly 24-20 to reduce the deficit and head into halftime trailing by only six points, 50-44. At that stage, the game remained very much within reach.

However, the third quarter proved decisive.

Al Ahly Ly emerged from the break with renewed intensity and immediately delivered the knockout blow. A devastating 13-2 scoring run shifted the momentum entirely in favor of the Libyan club. Their defensive pressure increased, their ball movement became sharper, and Club Africain struggled to find solutions.

The Tunisian representatives never managed to recover from that stretch. Although they showed flashes of competitiveness, Al Ahly Ly consistently regained control whenever their opponents attempted a comeback.

One of the most striking aspects of Al Ahly Ly’s performance was their discipline. They executed their offensive sets efficiently while maintaining aggressive yet controlled defense. Club Africain, by contrast, struggled with consistency throughout the contest.

Oussama Marnaoui led Club Africain with 16 points, while Aminu Mohamed added 15. Reserve forward Makthar Gueye provided a spark off the bench with 12 points, but foul trouble limited his impact. After collecting three fouls in the first half, he was forced to spend valuable minutes on the bench. Although he returned later in the game, he was unable to add to his scoring tally.

Playmaker Omar Abada battled throughout the contest and remained on the court for all 40 minutes. However, his shooting difficulties reflected the challenges faced by Club Africain as a whole. He finished with 12 points and seven assists while shooting just 3-for-13 from the field.

Following the game, Abada acknowledged the qualities that separated the two teams. He pointed to Al Ahly Ly’s physicality, defensive aggression, and discipline as key factors behind the result. He also praised the experience of the Libyan side, noting their ability to control the pace and tempo of the game.

For Al Ahly Ly, the victory represents another major step in their BAL journey. Deng highlighted the team’s preparation and credited the coaching staff for developing an effective offensive game plan. He also emphasized the role of experienced players in helping the team manage critical moments and maintain composure during scoring runs.

Ultimately, this quarter-final belonged to Charlie Moore. His leadership, shot-making, playmaking, and defensive effort set the standard for Al Ahly Ly in a game where the stakes could not have been higher.

With a place in the BAL semi-finals secured, Al Ahly Ly now move forward full of confidence and momentum. If Moore continues to perform at this level, the Libyan champions will believe that an appearance in the final and perhaps even the BAL title itself is well within reach.

[Photography/ImageryCourtesy of Julien Bacot]

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