Munali Suns overturned a first-half deficit to beat Ferroviario da Beira 87-85 in Road to BAL 2027 Group E action. Douglas Kandulu scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Zambian side maintained its unbeaten start in Lusaka.
Last Updated on
October 31, 2026
Munali Suns completed a comeback to beat Ferroviario da Beira 87-85 in Road to BAL 2027 Group E action. Both teams returned to the NASDEC Sports Complex in Lusaka after victories over Bravehearts and Panthers, seeking to extend their winning starts. Unfortunately for Ferroviario fans watching back in Mozambique, the Suns were the team that preserved their unbeaten Group E record, overturning a first-half deficit through defence, paint scoring and late-game composure.
Kandulu paced Munali with 21 points, 13 rebounds, five blocks, two steals and three assists, completing his double-double. Elijah Mukelabai added 17 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists, contributing across the contest for Munali. Ferroviario’s Joshua Thomas finished with 27 points, but a costly late turnover denied Mozambique-based club a chance to take the game into overtime.
The opening quarter developed into a back-and-forth contest, with both teams trading buckets and poor defence before Ferroviario pulled away late. With 01:45 left in the period and Ferroviario leading 13-11, Ermelindo Novela and Joshua Thomas buried consecutive triples to close the quarter. Those late shots gave the Mozambique-based club a 19-12 advantage, leaving Munali needing a response at both ends.
Ferroviario increased its second-quarter output to 24 points, but Munali answered with 21 to prevent the margin from widening. The Suns generated much of their offence through paint pressure, while Frank Siame supplied their only successful three-pointer. Jared Mweetwa brought Munali within six at 34-28, before Ubisse, Nurmamade and Thomas restored Ferroviario’s advantage once again.
Ferroviario led 43-31 with one minute remaining, but Ofure Ayodele Ujadughele converted free throws to cut the deficit. The Nigerian forward’s much-needed composure at the free-throw line cut the deficit to ten at halftime, setting up what became a decisive third-quarter momentum shift for Munali. After the break, the Suns tightened their defence, restricting Ferroviario to 19 points while scoring 28 of their own.
Munali attacked the crumbling Ferroviario defence from the inside and beyond the arc, with Jason Siazilo, Chipo Musongo and Mukelabai connecting from three-point range. Their scoring surge cut Ferroviario’s advantage to one, 62-61, during the closing moments of a dominant third-quarter response.
Ferroviario kicked off the final period with a 7-2 run, restoring some distance to 69-63 and temporarily stopping the momentum shift the Munali Suns and their loud fans were building. Both sides traded buckets, but Mukelabai’s and-one tied the contest at 71 before his free throw put Munali ahead. With 01:59 remaining, the Suns produced a 6-0 run, producing a five-point gap and forcing Ferroviario to call for a timeout. Ke Tarrious Bouchum answered the coaching staff's prayers with a basket, cutting the margin and making the closing minutes tense for the hometown supporters at the NASDEC Sports Complex.
Mukelabai made one free throw before Ayad Munguambe drained a go-ahead three-pointer after Thomas stole possession and assisted. Ferroviario took the lead with 45 seconds remaining, turning the finish into a tense, nerve-testing contest in Lusaka. Musongo, Kandulu and Mukelabai helped Munali move six points ahead, but Thomas and Bouchum quickly narrowed the gap.
Bouchum made one of three free throws, missed two more, then grabbed the offensive rebound and scored again. His second-chance basket brought Ferroviario within one, before Munali called a timeout with three seconds left. Kandulu drew a foul and made one free throw, while Thomas lost possession, sealing Munali’s 87-85 comeback victory.
