Munali Suns crushed Botswana's Dolphins 96-56, extending their unbeaten Road to BAL 2027 Group E campaign to 3-0. Douglas Kandulu led with 28 points as the Zambian hosts handed the Dolphins their heaviest tournament defeat.
Last Updated on
November 2, 2026
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Munali Suns had already shown they could win the hard way. Their narrow 87-85 victory over Mozambican champions Ferroviario da Beira on Saturday demonstrated their ability to recover from a deficit and hold their nerve in a tight finish. Against Dolphins Basketball Club, however, the Zambian hosts produced a different kind of performance, dominating from the opening exchanges to make it three wins from three in Group E Division East.
Both teams entered the encounter with 2-0 records, but that similarity disappeared once the game got underway. Munali took control early, building a commanding 50-25 halftime lead. Dolphins, who had beaten Harare Kings and Bravehearts in their first two games, could not reproduce the resilience that had carried them through those contests.
At the heart of Munali’s performance was Douglas Kandulu, who delivered 28 points and eight rebounds. The centre was effective around the basket, repeatedly finding scoring opportunities in the paint, while his presence at the other end made life difficult for the Botswana side. One defensive sequence stood out when his outstretched arm blocked Makur Jongchuk’s attempt in the paint, underlining the physical challenge Dolphins faced throughout the game.
Kandulu had already made his mark against Ferroviario da Beira, recording 21 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks in that hard-fought win. His 28-point display against Dolphins further illustrated his importance to a Munali side that has combined individual production with an increasingly convincing collective effort.
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Ofure Ujadughele also delivered a double-double, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Frank Siame added 16 points and five rebounds. Munali’s offensive options extended beyond its leading scorers, with the hosts collecting 19 assists against the Dolphins’ eight. That difference reflected the home team’s ability to create opportunities and involve multiple players in its attack.
The statistical breakdown revealed the extent of the imbalance. Munali outscored the Dolphins 60-24 in the paint and led 18-12 in second-chance points. The hosts also converted turnovers into 25 points, compared with 10 for their opponents, and dominated fast-break scoring 36-12. Those figures highlighted how quickly Munali punished mistakes and turned defensive pressure into points at the other end.
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Dolphins struggled to find a consistent scoring threat. Dallan Coleman led the Botswana side with 11 points, while Jongchuk and Peter Malek Marial contributed nine apiece. Their combined efforts were insufficient against a defence that limited Dolphins to 56 points after the visitors had scored 78 against Bravehearts and 78 against Harare Kings in their opening games.
The defeat leaves Dolphins with little room for complacency as they pursue a place in the Elite 16, after their unbeaten start ended emphatically. For Munali, the result strengthens their position among the leading contenders in Group E Division East. After edging Ferroviario da Beira in a contest decided by just two points, the Suns have now shown they can also overwhelm an opponent. Their 3-0 record reflects both their ability to survive pressure and their capacity to take complete control when the opportunity arises.
