Rivers Hoopers’ hopes of avenging their earlier defeat to group leaders, Al Ittihad, were dashed once again as they fell to a second consecutive loss against the Egyptian powerhouse, this time by a 94-77 scoreline at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, on Saturday.

Unlike their first meeting on April 9, where the Hoopers managed a respectable 80 points in a 100-80 defeat, Saturday’s rematch exposed the widening gap in class, depth, and execution between the two sides in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Kalahari Conference.

Second Quarter Collapse

The Hoopers started brightly, matching Al Ittihad point for point in the opening stages. However, the game took a decisive turn in the second quarter when Al Ittihad exploded offensively, outscoring the Nigerian side 30-10 in the frame. Their relentless attack and defensive pressure saw them build a commanding 20-point halftime lead, heading into the break with a 49-29 advantage.

Rivers Hoopers struggled to cope with Al Ittihad’s fast-paced ball movement and sharp perimeter shooting. A string of turnovers and defensive lapses saw the Egyptian champions take full control of the game.

Key Performer – Akec Steps Up

Despite the heavy defeat, Akec emerged as one of the few bright spots for Rivers Hoopers. The talented forward showcased his offensive prowess and defensive effort, finishing the contest with:

His presence helped stabilize the Hoopers in the second half, limiting the damage and providing crucial baskets, but it was not enough to spark a comeback as they never got closer than 14 points after the break.

Al Ittihad’s Domination

Al Ittihad, who have remained undefeated in the Kalahari Conference, once again demonstrated why they are title contenders. Their blend of physical dominance, disciplined defending, precise perimeter shooting, and valuable bench depth left the Hoopers scrambling for answers throughout the match.

The Egyptians’ tactical discipline and relentless offensive pressure saw them control the tempo of the game. With this victory, they’ve now beaten the Rivers Hoopers twice by a combined margin of 37 points.

They also became the first team from the Kalahari Conference to secure an undefeated playoff qualification, sending a clear warning to their future opponents.

What It Means for Rivers Hoopers

Despite the loss, this result will not dramatically affect Rivers Hoopers’ playoff ambitions. Having already secured early qualification to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs, they remain firmly in second place on the Kalahari Conference table, with a record of three wins from five games.

The Nigerian champions will look to regroup ahead of their final group-stage fixture, aiming to end the conference stage on a positive note and gather momentum heading into the crucial playoff rounds.