ABC Fighters began their Road to BAL 2025 campaign with a dominant 88-69 victory over Mighty Barrolle. Key performances from Jabari Narcis, Karim Mané, and Nisre Zouzoua secured the win, moving ABC closer to the Elite 16 stage and 2025 BAL qualification.
Last Updated on
October 12, 2024
The Road to BAL 2025 tipped off in Tripoli, Libya, following the phenomenal and historic conclusion of the 2024 Basketball Africa League, with a commanding performance from ABC Fighters, who secured an 88-69 victory over Mighty Barrolle Basketball Club (MBBC) of Liberia. In a game that showcased ABC Fighters' experience and depth, the Liberian newcomers fought valiantly, especially in the second half, but were ultimately outclassed by the seasoned side.
The game started with a burst of energy from the Fighters, who lost no time establishing dominance. They opened up an 18-point lead (20-2) in the first quarter, setting the tone early with their aggressive defence and fast-paced offence. MBBC struggled to find any rhythm in the opening minutes, but by the end of the first quarter, they managed to chip away at the deficit, closing the gap to 12 points (24-12).
As the second quarter unfolded, ABC Fighters maintained their momentum, widening the margin further. By halftime, the Fighters had built a 25-point lead (50-25), with MBBC unable to match their pace. The Liberian side, clearly rattled by their first taste of Road to BAL competition, found it difficult to contain ABC Fighters' fluid ball movement and defensive pressure. At this point, the game was already out of reach for MBBC, with ABC Fighters firmly in control.
The third quarter, however, brought a surprising turn of events. MBBC, showing the resilience that earned them a spot in this prestigious competition, mounted a spirited fightback. They went toe-to-toe with ABC Fighters, coming within two points of matching their opponents (19-17) in the quarter. John Williams Jr. was the driving force behind MBBC's resurgence, scoring 17 points to lead his team. His efforts were complemented by Omar Samba, who posted an impressive double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds, and John Davids, who contributed 12 points of his own. Despite their determination, MBBC still trailed 69-42 heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter saw MBBC produce their best basketball of the game. The Liberian side outscored ABC Fighters 27-19 in a late-game showcase of their offensive firepower. Williams Jr., Samba, and Davids continued to lead the charge as MBBC fought to close the gap. Although their efforts fell short, the final quarter showed the team's potential. The newcomers made it clear that they were not merely in the tournament to make up the numbers—they belonged on this stage and would not back down from any challenge.
On the other side, ABC Fighters demonstrated why they are considered one of the more experienced and formidable teams in the competition. Jabari Narcis was instrumental in their victory, recording a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Karim Mané contributed 16 points and Nisre Zouzoua added 10. What will please head coach Eric Anderson Affi most, however, is the contribution of his entire roster. Every player on the Fighters' bench scored, showcasing the team's depth and ability to share the workload across the lineup.
Though the ABC Fighters had some shaky moments in the second half, their early dominance and balanced attack were enough to seal the win. They will now focus on their Matchday 2 clash against Spintex Knights, looking to maintain their winning momentum. For MBBC, this opening loss may sting, but the team will take heart from their spirited second-half display. Their challenge moving forward will be to bring the same energy and execution from the start of the game rather than waiting until they are down by a large margin.
“Today was a good game but we need to build off from this game. Mighty Barolle are a very good team. Every team is going to fight,and no team is going to give up in this type of competition. We just need to avoid getting too comfortable once in the lead and keep a strong defense,” offered Nisre Zouzoua, ABC Fighters’ shooting guard, after the game.
He also insisted that ABC Fighters will aim to continue demonstrating why they are a team to watch, boasting a roster packed with talent and experience ready to take them deep into this campaign. The Ivorian side will face Spintex Knights on Matchday 2, while Mighty Barrolle Basketball Club will look to bounce back and make a stronger statement against Benin’s Elan Coton.
The key to victory will be rest, he added. “We have three games back-to-back, and we must make sure to watch our bodies,” he concluded.
[Photography/Imagery Courtesy of FIBA]
