ASC Ville de Dakar pulled off a historic Basketball Africa League upset, outlasting 2022 champions US Monastir 70-67. Fueled by a raucous home crowd, ASCVD’s balanced attack and gritty defence sparked wild celebrations in Dakar Arena.
Last Updated on
April 27, 2025
Very few had dared to predict such an upset. On paper, the Tunisian powerhouse, former BAL champions, were the overwhelming favourites, boasting greater experience, depth, and a track record of success at the continental level. But the reality on the court painted a very different story, as the Senegalese debutants rose to the occasion in front of 9,000 passionate fans who turned the arena into a cauldron of noise and belief.
The game exploded into life from the opening tip-off. Up fueled by energy and determination, ASC Ville de Dakar seized a slim advantage early, closing the first quarter ahead 20-18. Their aggressive defence and smart ball movement continued to unsettle Monastir, and by halftime, the Senegalese side had extended their lead to 42-34, sending waves of excitement through the home supporters.
However, a team of Monastir's calibre would never fold easily. Led by veteran Slimane Radhouane, who would finish the night with a team-high 15 points, the Tunisians mounted a strong comeback after the break. Their renewed intensity on both ends of the floor allowed them to erase the deficit, and as the third-quarter buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 50-50, setting up a nerve-wracking final period.
The fourth quarter was a pulsating affair, with neither side able to pull away decisively. Every possession mattered every rebound was fiercely contested, and every shot was met with roars from the crowd. At one point, ASCVD appeared to have seized control, building a 68-61 lead with just over a minute remaining, thanks to clutch baskets from Will Perry and the relentless work of Bara Ndiaye inside the paint.
Yet, true to their reputation, Monastir refused to bow out quietly. Patrick Hardy Jr. drilled a deep three-pointer to cut the lead to four points (68-64) and following missed opportunities on both sides, Slimane Radhouane drove to the basket and converted, bringing Monastir within a single point at 68-67 with only nine seconds left on the clock.
With the game hanging in the balance, Abdoulaye Harouna stepped up when it mattered most. Fouled in the dying moments, Harouna calmly sank two pressure-packed free throws to push ASCVD's lead back to three points (70-67). Monastir had one last chance to send the game to overtime, but the Senegalese defense held firm, sparking wild celebrations inside the Dakar Arena at the final buzzer.
The game's intensity was reflected in the individual performances. ASC Ville de Dakar showcased a balanced attack, with Bara Ndiaye leading the way with 15 points, supported by Harouna and Will Perry, who added 12 points each. On the Monastir side, besides Radhouane's efforts, Firas Lahyani delivered a solid double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Osiris Eldridge and Patrick Hardy Jr. chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Beyond the box score, the numbers told the story of a team that outworked and outsmarted their more established rivals. ASCVD dominated second-chance opportunities (20 points), controlled the paint (28 points), enjoyed greater bench production (19 points to Monastir's 11), and outrebounded the Tunisians 50-41. They also moved the ball more efficiently, registering 18 assists compared to Monastir's 14.
Reflecting on the monumental victory, one of the ASCVD players captured the spirit of the night perfectly:
"It feels good to win this game for Dakar. We thought we had the advantage at 50-50, but some big shots from Will Perry coming in at key moments kept us going. The public also gave us so much energy. They kept behind us in the key moments. It was an extra advantage.”
The night was about more than a win for coach Libasse Faye and his players. It was a statement to the rest of the Sahara Conference — that ASC Ville de Dakar is not here to participate but to compete fiercely against Africa’s finest.
With momentum firmly on their side, ASC Ville de Dakar now turns its attention to their next challenge: a matchup against Kriol Star later this afternoon, where they will look to extend their unbeaten start and continue this dream run on home soil.
[Photography/Imagery : The BAL]
