Al Ahli Tripoli crown historic BAL debut with commanding final triumph

The fifth season of the Basketball Africa League closed with a decisive statement at SunBet Arena in Pretoria on Saturday night, as Al Ahli Tripoli dismantled defending champions Petro de Luanda to claim their first continental crown.

In front of 6,853 spectators, the Libyan newcomers delivered a performance marked by physical authority, tactical discipline and emotional maturity, overwhelming Petro 88 to 67 to end Angola’s hopes of a second consecutive title.

The final, the first in BAL history staged outside Rwanda, was framed as a duel between experience and ambition. Petro arrived chasing history, having dominated much of the league’s early years. Al Ahli arrived carrying the momentum of a breakthrough season built through the Road to BAL qualifiers. By the final buzzer, it was clear a new force had announced itself.

Petro briefly unsettled expectations with an early surge, opening an 11 to 7 lead in the first quarter. That resistance did not last. Fabian White Jr steadied Al Ahli with assertive drives and work on the glass, while Assem Marei quickly imposed himself in the paint. By the end of the opening period, the Libyan side had seized control at 27 to 19.

Petro responded in the second quarter through improved shooting and the presence of Patrick Gardner, who worked tirelessly on both ends. Jean Jacques Boissy’s scoring bursts kept Al Ahli ahead, though Petro stayed within reach, trailing 43 to 38 at half time.

The championship was effectively decided after the break. Al Ahli emerged with renewed intensity, suffocating Petro through a compact zone defence and punishing turnovers in transition. Marei and White Jr continued to dominate, while Mohamed Sadi electrified the contest with a series of timely three pointers that drained momentum from the Angolan bench.

By the end of the third quarter, Al Ahli led 66 to 54. Any lingering hope of a Petro comeback faded midway through the final period as the gap stretched beyond 20 points. Fouad Abou Chacra’s side closed the game with composure, silencing the arena and sealing Libya’s first BAL title.

Marei delivered a monumental final, finishing with 22 points and 19 rebounds, alongside three assists and two blocks. White Jr added 18 points and nine rebounds in a balanced team effort that reflected Al Ahli’s identity throughout the season. Aboubacar Gakou led Petro’s scoring with 12 points from the bench, though the champions never found a sustained rhythm.

The victory crowned a remarkable campaign for Al Ahli Tripoli, who completed the season with a 9 and 1 record. Boissy was later named league MVP and finished as the competition’s leading scorer, while Abou Chacra collected Coach of the Year honours. APR forward Aliou Diarra claimed Defensive Player of the Year for a second time, underlining the league’s growing depth.

Beyond the final itself, Season 5 marked a turning point for the BAL. Six debuting teams featured, attendance surpassed 141,000 across four host cities, and the finals were broadcast in more than 200 countries and territories. Earlier on Saturday, APR’s 123 to 90 bronze medal win over Al Ittihad Alexandria set a new league scoring record.

For Al Ahli Tripoli, the significance extends well beyond Pretoria. As champions, they earned the right to represent Africa at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, where they would later become the first African club to finish on the podium.

On a night defined by firsts, the BAL did more than crown a champion. It signalled a shift in continental power, and the arrival of a Libyan side ready to shape the league’s future.