President Paul Kagame attended the Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoff game in which Petro de Luanda defeated Al Ahly Benghazi 94-88 at BK Arena, securing a place in the 2026 BAL final.
Al Ahly Benghazi started the game strongly, scoring heavily through Donovan Williams.
Toward the end of the first quarter, Lukeny Gonçalves reduced the deficit, but Al Ahly still led 24-23 at the end of the opening period.
The second quarter was highly competitive, with both teams staying close on the scoreboard as Childe Dundao and Lual Acuil scored important points for their respective sides.
Al Ahly headed into halftime with a 48-43 lead over Petro de Luanda.
Charles Edward Moore and Raphael Putney continued to inspire their teams offensively in the third quarter as the game remained tightly contested.
Both teams scored 22 points in the third quarter, which ended with Al Ahly still leading 70-65.
The final quarter proved decisive, as Petro de Luanda demonstrated its experience and composure. Gonçalves and Dundao stepped up with crucial points to overpower Al Ahly Benghazi.
The game ended 94-88 in favor of Petro de Luanda, sending the Angolan side to the BAL 2026 final.
The final is scheduled for Sunday, May 31, where Petro de Luanda will face RSSB Tigers of Rwanda.
Meanwhile, the third-place playoff will feature Al Ahly Benghazi against Al Ahly from Egypt.
The final is expected to be highly competitive, bringing together an impressive Tigers side and the experienced Petro de Luanda team.
The Angolan club previously won the BAL title in 2024. They also finished third in 2021, runners-up in 2022, fourth in 2023, and lost last year’s final to Al Ahly Tripoli.
