Everything came to a head in the Sahara Conference this past weekend with everything to play for and all teams still in with a shout. With playoff spots on the line and redemption arcs in motion, four teams entered the final weekend of Basketball Africa League (BAL) knowing one thing for certain: every single possession could shape their futures.
For US Monastir, it was a weekend of resurgence. For Petro de Luanda, one of reasserting dominance. For Kriol Star Basketball and ASC Ville de Dakar, it was a test of resilience and ambition. With Petro de Luanda and US Monastir coming out on top, here’s a deeper dive into how — and why — they made it.
Saturday May 3 – Monastir Sets the Tone
Kriol Star’s showdown with US Monastir on Saturday was a high-octane contest that tested the islanders’ resilience from the opening tip. Down 17–29 after a sluggish first quarter, Kriol clawed back in the second, trimming the lead to just seven within minutes. A flurry of missed chances, however, prevented them from fully closing the gap. By the third minute of the second half, Monastir had rebuilt an 11-point cushion, leaving Kriol to chase again.
Monastir’s offense, led by the evergreen Firas Lahyani and Mokhtar Ghayaza, surged ahead to a 19-point lead midway through Q3. But Kriol refused to fold. Joel Ntambwe hit a timely three, Ivan Almeida converted his frees, and Correia’s drives ignited a mini-resurgence. By the end of the third quarter, they’d trimmed it to 55–67.
Kriol’s belief showed in the fourth as Parker and Correia combined for clutch plays. A pair of free throws and a strong rebound layup cut the lead to eight late in the game. But Monastir’s experience prevailed—Terrence Hardy’s emphatic dunk and smart possessions down the stretch ensured a 83–91 win. Despite the loss, Kriol showed grit and flashes of brilliance that suggest they’re far from done in this tournament.
Petro de Luanda put on a clinical display against ASC Ville de Dakar on Saturday asserting their dominance early and holding firm for a 76–67 win. After a scrappy opening few minutes marked by rebounds and missed chances, Petro opened the scoring and quickly found their rhythm. Rigoberto and Buimba led the charge, combining athleticism with sharp shooting to establish a 17–9 lead. ASC responded through Majok and Perry, but Petro’s tempo and discipline kept them in control.
The second quarter saw increased intensity, with Petro stretching their lead to double digits through Castro and captain Carlos Morais. A dangerous foul on Harouna gave ASC some breathing room via Devine Eke’s free throws, but Petro continued to capitalize on ASC’s transition errors. Solo Diabate was instrumental, sparking runs and sinking crucial frees as Petro pushed the gap to 42–25 by halftime.
ASC rallied late in the game, with Majok’s consistent free-throw shooting and Boye’s defensive hustle bringing them within reach. But Mendoza’s late field goal and Diabate’s control in the clutch ensured Petro’s victory.
Now with back-to-back wins over debutants ASC and reigning champions Monastir, Petro look poised for a strong postseason. Their composure and depth may be the difference-maker in the Sahara Conference.
With the Sahara Conference wrapped, both US Monastir and Petro de Luanda head into the playoffs as the standout contenders. Their final weekend performances weren’t just wins — they were declarations.
For Monastir, it was about heart. The defending champions proved they still have the pieces — and the pride — to contend for another title. For Petro, it was about class. The Angolans, perennial favorites, played like veterans who know the path, and aren’t afraid to walk it again.
Kriol Star leaves with valuable experience and an identity to build on. Ville de Dakar, meanwhile, will reflect on missed chances and what it will take to close the gap next year. As the dust settles on Dakar, one thing is certain — the road to the BAL crown runs through experience, precision, and performances like we witnessed this weekend.
Sunday May 4 – Monastir Close with Statement Win
The final weekend closed out with Tunisian powerhouse US Monastir facing hosts ASC Ville de Dakar, a team fighting to salvage pride on home soil. Having stumbled earlier in the conference to Petro de Luanda, Monastir needed a win — not just to stay alive in the standings, but to prove they still belonged among Africa’s elite.
Led by the ever-reliable Patrick Hardy Jr, who averaged 17.3 points and 5.3 assists per game, Monastir executed with poise and precision. Hardy Jr was relentless in transition, and when veteran forward Radhouane Slimane joined in with 15 points and 7 rebounds, it felt like the Tunisia-based giants had rediscovered their rhythm.
Ville de Dakar, to their credit, came prepared. Ater James Majok (12 points, 7.7 rebounds per game) and Will Perry (14 points, 4.7 assists per game) kept them in the hunt, but it wasn’t enough to overcome 16 team turnovers and poor perimeter defense. Despite his resolute work off the ball, Majok could not stop his former team, Monastir, from shooting nearly 47% from the field and 38.5% from deep and seeing out a vital 77-68 win.
Petro de Luanda vs Kriol Star: Experience vs Aspiration
As the day’s first matchup, Petro de Luanda vs Kriol Star was largely a test of nerves but also a clash of legacies. Petro de Luanda, the Angolan powerhouse, took the court with quiet confidence, while Kriol Star Basketball — one of the tournament’s most exciting debutants — arrived with flair, fight, and the potential to surprise.
Kriol took a surprising early lead against Petro, blowing them out 0-9 in the first three minutes of Q1. They extended their lead to 10 with a smart free throw and lock Petro up on their next break and force a turnover. Kriol’s defense continued to dominate in the paint but failed to capitalize on turnovers early on. This didn’t stop them from maintaining a 0-14 lead at the end of the quarter.
Kriol Star had more than moments. Ivan Almeida’s 18-point outing was electric, and Patrick McGlynn added 15 points of his own. But Petro’s composure and control (only 10 turnovers) saw them claim an 69–71 win — and a stronger grip on the conference standings.
Petro failed to make anything stick in the second quarter and were down by 16 points until a a brilliant 3 from Gakou finally allowed Petro put points on the board. Lewis Igho’s attacking prowess was on full display all game and his field shooting was a big part of Kriol’s success on the day.
Petro slowly but surely grew into it and the game maintained a similar intensity until the end of the 2nd quarter at 7-20. Q3 launched with Petro on the front-foot but failing to make anything stick, while their defense had intensified, it was not enough to slow Kriol’s charge?
Kriol reasserted dominance, stretching the lead to 16 points at 15-31.
Petro’s Gardner tried to make his mark from deep, launching three-point attempts in quick succession. The failed efforts opened the door for Kriol to punish them on the break—Almeida to Almeida—Ivan setting up Igwo with an alley-oop that sent the crowd into a brief frenzy. Then came a powerful dunk from Correia to close the half on a high, signaling Kriol’s growing dominance.
By the time the third quarter rolled around, Kriol had built a commanding 26-point lead, surging ahead 19-45. Petro’s offense remained disjointed despite Gardner’s attempts to claw them back with a clever field goal. Ntambwe’s errant three led to yet another turnover, the ball spinning the other way as the Senegalese fans thundered with chants and drumming, trying to will Petro into rhythm.
Gardner began to force the issue, driving hard to the rim for a much-needed layup to make it 23-45. He followed it with a huge block at the other end, forcing a turnover—but Petro couldn’t convert. Again, Gardner pushed forward, tried a long-range three and got fouled—earning a trip to the line. The score remained 23-45.
As the game resumed, Rigoberto brought Petro to life with a buzzer-beating three, followed by a spectacular falling layup off a turnover.Gardner replied instantly with a drive of his own. Kriol’s vulnerabilities emerged and when missed shots began to pile up, Petro capitalized. Rigoberto again found the net, trimming the score to 30-45.
Petro clawed back in the fourth, with Gakou and Solo Diabaté spearheading a comeback that tied the game at 62–62. In overtime, Gardner’s hustle was met with resilience from Joel Almeida and Ivan Almeida, the latter sinking key frees to keep the islanders afloat. A cold-blooded three from Gakou briefly swung the game, but Kriol struck back with a decisive layup.
Statistically, the islanders earned their glory. Ivan Almeida’s double-double (14 pts, 13 rebs) and Correia’s 16 points and floor leadership powered the win. Petro’s big guns—Gardner, Glofate, Gakou—came up short.
“It was a very important game for us,” head coach Hugo Salgado told the media after the game, sweat still gleaming on his forehead, as his smile beamed. “We needed players who represented the country’s values — guys who would leave everything on the floor. This is not my flag, but I am proud to carry it today”
This wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement. Kriol Star aren’t just a story—they’re a threat. And now, everyone knows it. Kriol 71, Petro 69
Written by Abdul-Jabbar Obiagwu
