Joburg's MBB display great fight in BAL debut against Al Ahli
Though their hopes of a fairytale debut of the tournament were eroded by Libya's Al Ahli Tripoli in an 87-77 loss at the BK Arena in Kigali, the Gauteng side put up a great fight, especially in the final 10 minutes of the game.
It was an enormous occasion for the MBB players, one they said they were excited about in the build-up to the start of the Nile Conference, but in the first 30 minutes, they appeared overwhelmed.
They couldn't match the pace of Tripoli. They would close gaps in the score, but the Libyans would just shift the gears and extend again.
Tripoli's biggest lead of the afternoon was 19 points in the third quarter.
In a bid to be more competitive, MBB introduced their bench, but it lacked major contributions, assembling only 10 points in the game.
Your first @castlelitesa Game Recap of the Nile Conference!
AlAhli takes the W ✅ #BAL5 pic.twitter.com/U4w3UFiDjp
— Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) May 17, 2025
By contrast, the Libyans' substitutes scored 32 points. Their top scorer, Senegalese Jean Jacques Boissy, came from the dugout and added 28 points, seven rebounds, and one assist.
These are areas the players and coaching staff said they would need to rectify before their game against APR of Rwanda on Sunday.
Despite a scare in the opening minutes of the game when Deon Thompson knocked two three-pointers from deep for Tripoli, MBB went toe-to-toe with Tripoli, who are deemed favourites to top the conference.
The north Africans were expected to run away with the game from the get-go.
But US Import, who played in the NBA G-League, Roovan Mooring, calmed the nerves of the South Africans when he made the first two-pointer and MBB's first points in the BAL.
MBB head coach Sam Vincent cracked a smile, and there were roars from the bench and high-fives as MBB signalled their arrival at Africa's biggest tournament
The first quarter ended 15-10 with the Libyans leading, and from then on, Tripoli stepped their foot on the accelerator in the second quarter with Boissy the aggressor.
They went to the halftime break with a 12-point advantage, leading 45-33.
In the third quarter, Tripoli seemed to have everything going their way offensively, but MBB kept up the fight, and the third quarter finished 64-50.
In the final quarter, MBB turned on the charm with Mooring, Teafale Lenard Jnr and Robinson Opong Odoch leading from the front to close the gap to five points in the last four minutes.
But Tripoli fought their way out of what would have been a great moment for SA basketball.
Mooring finished with 26 points, Lenard Jnr with 20 and Odoch made 15.
MBB next play home team Armée Patriotique Rwandaise on Sunday (5.30pm).
• Anathi Wulushe is in Rwanda courtesy of the BAL.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
21-07-2025
- IOL News
Dlamini's heroics and Jane's leadership propel Banyana into WAFCON semis
Andile Dlamini celebrates after saving two penalties in Banyana Banyana's quarter-final shoot-out win over Senegal at WAFCON 2025. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Andile Dlamini, the acclaimed Banyana Banyana goalkeeper, has once again captured the spotlight, receiving praise for her exceptional performance in the recent WAFCON quarter-final against Senegal. Amid the high stakes of the knockout stage, it was not just Dlamini's prowess between the sticks that stood out, but also the remarkable leadership displayed by captain Refiloe Jane, whose encouragement and spirit of ubuntu galvanised the team during the intense match held in Morocco. Dlamini, reflecting on a crucial moment in the game, revealed how Jane's support helped lift the team's spirits. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'I remember an instance where it was a build-up, and the ball went out for a corner. 'Fifi' (Jane's nickname) came and tapped me on the back and said, 'Let's go.' That's beautiful because we are a team. That shows that she is a leader more than anything,' she said in an interview with on Sunday. This moment encapsulated the essence of teamwork and camaraderie, as Banyana Banyana continue their push toward glory. The match against Senegal culminated in a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out, and Dlamini's skills as a goalkeeper were tested. Showing commendable poise under pressure, she made two pivotal saves that ultimately secured victory. Jane, who has been steadfast in her confidence in Dlamini's abilities, praised her performance after the match. 'It was an exceptional team performance. When we went to penalties, we knew the capabilities that Andile has,' she said, reflecting the pride felt by her teammates. With three clean sheets achieved in the tournament so far, Dlamini stands tall as one of the competition's standout players. Having claimed the title of WAFCON Goalkeeper of the Year in 2022, she continues to affirm her reputation at the 2025 championship. Her sterling performance, particularly in the face of a relentless Senegalese side, emphasises her role as a key player in the team's defensive strategy. 'The three clean sheets come down to the defence of the team. Defence starts with the forwards and their work at the front,' Dlamini explained, highlighting the importance of collective effort. 'It is a matter of understanding your role on a specific day, communication, positive messages to each other, even when it is so difficult.' Her insightful words reflect a maturity and understanding that anchor the team's resolve as they aim for another WAFCON title. As they move into the semi-finals, the confidence and mutual support among the Banyana Banyana players will be vital. Dlamini's journey is a testament to her dedication, consistently reminding fans and critics alike of her ability to rise to the occasion. With each game, she cements her legacy in women's football and inspires her teammates to pursue their shared dream of championship glory.
Daily Maverick
21-07-2025
- Daily Maverick
Banyana Banyana gear up for formidable Nigeria at Wafcon after downing Senegal on penalties
After defeating a stubborn Senegalese side in a penalty shootout, Banyana Banyana will rekindle their rivalry with Nigeria in the semifinals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Tuesday, 22 July. Banyana Banyana beat Senegal 4-1 on penalties in their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) quarterfinal clash. Despite helping the South Africans reach the semifinals, the overall performance the team put on to obtain that result is one Desiree Ellis and her charges will be keen to quickly forget. Following a sluggish and lacklustre 120 minutes of soccer against a Senegal team which was intent on causing the biggest upset of the tournament by ousting the defending African champions, the contest ended 0-0 at Oudja's Honneur Stadium. Despite enjoying a large chunk of ball possession, the South Africans did not create any real chances in those two hours of football. Heroine Dlamini Then up stepped Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile 'Sticks' Dlamini. The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies goalminder shut out two Senegalese spot kicks, while centre back Bambanani Mbane confidently struck the winning penalty for South Africa as they navigated to the semifinals. 'I said the game was not going to be easy, I said it was going to be a difficult game because of the group they were in and how they got out. We didn't expect anything less,' said Ellis. 'The first 15 minutes we showed a bit of nerves, trying to get into the game, but once we got into the game we nullified the threat, their two tall strikers. We dealt very well with their long ball, but sometimes we gave the ball away too cheaply… Senegal has improved from the last time we played them, the coach has done a fantastic job,' the Banyana Banyana coach added. 'We have been practising penalties, and we knew who our kickers were going to be and that's why we made the changes we made. We always knew that Andile could save one or two – she had done it before. This was our first penalty shootout victory at Wafcon; we lost it in 2006 and in 2018 in the final. I don't have enough words to describe this team – the resilience, the courage, the never-say-die attitude, the willingness to fight for each other. No matter what they threw at us we were able to withstand that,' Ellis stated. Super Falcons date In the semifinals awaits a Nigerian team which flexed its muscles in a 5-0 drubbing of a strong Zambia side in their own quarterfinal outing on Friday. It's clear that the South Africans will have to be much sharper than they were against Senegal. On the other hand, Banyana Banyana's clashes against record Wafcon winners Nigeria (with 11 titles) are always epic. The South Africans will need no motivation against their sworn rivals. Especially after the Super Falcons denied Banyana Banyana Olympic Games qualification in 2024. After successfully navigating the earlier rounds of Olympic qualifiers, Banyana Banyana and Nigeria were pitted against each other for the fourth and final round of qualifiers. In that close contest the Super Falcons soared to a slender 1-0 aggregate win over two legs. The result broke South Africa's hearts and condemned Banyana Banyana to a second successive Olympic qualification failure – despite their prominence on the African continent. This result may now be buried deep in Banyana Banyana's subconscious, but it is likely to resurface as fuel when Ellis's team aims for the Super Falcons on Tuesday. Traditionally, the Nigerians have enjoyed the most success in this fierce rivalry, hence their 11 continental titles to Banyana's one. Momentum shift However, over the past five years the tide has shifted slightly in favour of the South Africans. The Olympic qualification result was an anomaly based on recent results and Banyana Banyana will be hoping to prove it as such by doing what they did on the way to winning the 2022 Wafcon – beating Nigeria. Having been based in the city of Oudja since the tournament started, Banyana Banyana will now relocate to Casablanca. This is where the Super Falcons have been based for the tournament, something which Ellis feels will be a minor disadvantage for her team. 'As the technical team, our heads are already on planning for Nigeria. We played 120 minutes and we have a day less than Nigeria to prepare. We'll also have to travel, which takes a lot out of you,' Ellis stated. Banyana Banyana's mammoth match against Nigeria kicks off at 6pm. The other semifinal, between host nation Morocco and the Black Queens of Ghana, takes place three hours later. DM
TimesLIVE
19-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Dlamini help Banyana beat Senegal on penalties to book semifinal spot against Nigeria at Wafcon
It was Senegal who posed much of the danger in the first half with their tall strikers Nguenar Ndiaye and Mama Diop testing Banyana keeper Andile Dlamini a couple of times. Banyana forwards Hildah Magaia and Jermaine Seoposenwe were tightly marked and at times had to fetch the ball deep as the Senegalese defended well. Lebohang Ramalepe always gave Banyana options in attack and was the player who looked capable of finding an opening for Banyana. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made only one change after half time, bringing Amogelang Motau for Sibulela Holweni to shore up a midfield that battled to create as many chances for the strikers in this match. As much as both sides tried, the match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes with no clear-cut chances created on both ends. In the first half of extra-time Ramalepe was unlucky to have been judged offside after scoring having latched on to an exquisite defence splitting pass by Banyana skipper Refiloe Jane. Magaia too saw her close range shot in the second half of extra time parried away by a confident Adji Ndiaye in the Senegalese goals. Later a penalty appeal against Magaia was also turned down by the referee after a prolonged VAR examination. Other than those chances there was very little that both teams did in the extra 30 minutes to show they wanted to avoid going to the penalties. In the second semifinal also to be played on Tuesday, 2022 runners-up Morocco will face Ghana who also needed penalties to earlier on Saturday to oust Algeria.
