Game Report: Abidjan Basket Club Fighters cruised to a 92-53 victory over Kadji Sports Academy in the Road to BAL third-place game. Led by Nisre Zouzoua, Jalen Jowan, and Jabari Akins, ABC’s cohesion and offense proved too much for KSA.
Last Updated on
November 11, 2024
In a game with little on the line but much to prove, Abidjan Basket Club (ABC) Fighters took the spotlight with a commanding 92-53 win over Kadji Sports Academy (KSA) in the Road to BAL third-place showdown. Although both teams had already missed their chances to advance to the BAL 2025 season, the ABC Fighters’ hunger and teamwork stood out, while KSA’s performance revealed a team struggling with cohesion and motivation.
From the beginning, ABC Fighters looked poised to dominate, establishing an efficient rhythm and capitalizing on KSA's lack of intensity. Kadji Sports Academy seemed unmotivated, their energy visibly lagging as they allowed a steady flow of points, struggling to keep ABC in check. By halftime, the scoreboard read 43-23 in favor of ABC Fighters, leaving KSA with a massive 20-point deficit. Despite KSA’s apparent lethargy, Makthar Gueye shone with an impressive 17 points, becoming the only KSA player to reach double digits.
The second half saw ABC Fighters shift gears and showcase refined offensive execution. Led by standout performances from Nisre Zouzoua (19 points), Jalen Jowan (15 points), and Jabari Akins (14 points), ABC continued to widen the gap. Zouzoua was particularly effective, driving ABC’s offense with impressive shot selection and energy, while Jowan and Akins played with a seamless chemistry that added further depth to ABC’s play.
KSA’s troubles continued throughout the half, and their inability to mount a counterattack only widened ABC’s lead. Gueye’s efforts alone were not enough to pull KSA back into contention, and the lack of support from his teammates was evident as they were repeatedly outscored. ABC closed out the game comfortably, with a resounding 92-53 victory.
Ismael Diara of ABC Fighters commented on the game saying, "We had a good team but we lacked cohesion; we would have done better." This reflection seemed to capture the sentiment of a team that had the potential to do more but struggled with internal alignment and spirit, missing out the BAL 2025 season ticket.
ABC Fighters’ commanding win not only underscored their skill and coordination but also their competitive spirit proving that, regardless of stakes, they came to play. For KSA, the game revealed critical areas for growth, particularly around cohesion and collective drive, which could be pivotal for future performances.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA ]
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