Bangui Dominates City Oilers with Convincing 91-76 Win, Handing Them Fourth Conference Loss

Bangui Dominates City Oilers with Convincing 91-76 Win, Handing Them Fourth Conference Loss

On Day 4 of the Nile Conference at the Hassan Mostafa Arena in Cairo, the stakes were high, and the atmosphere tense. Determining who would qualify for the finals required some serious calculations. However, one thing was crystal clear: if the City Oilers were to suffer another loss, their path to the postseason playoffs would hit a dead end.

With only one narrow victory against Al Ahly, led by the exceptional Khaman Maluach, the Oilers faced a tough challenge. Their opponents, Bangui SC, weren't initially favoured, given their organisational and financial struggles. Their tournament debut against Libya's Al Ahly Benghazi was disastrous, marked by last-minute changes in staff and players.

Yet, with perseverance and a resilient mindset, they've turned the tide, securing victories against both the Oilers and Benghazi, putting them on track for qualification.

"We've been concentrating on the [court], the difficulties are a matter for the management.We players want to qualify, and that's all there is to it. We want to qualify," insisted DR Congo native Rolly Fulla Nganga, expressing Bangui's state of mind.

This matchup also serves as a rematch between two rising stars: Maluach Khaman, representing City Oilers, and Thierry Darlan, a hopeful for the fast-approaching 2024 NBA Draft, playing for Bangui. Darlan showcased his skills in the first leg, while Evans Ganapamo was sidelined due to an ankle injury.

Both teams entered the game with different motivations, setting the stage for a fiercely contested match. The opening five minutes was a feeling-out period before City Oilers surged ahead, leading by seven points (12-5). Despite Maluach's absence, Bangui quickly closed the gap to one point (12-11) and seised a 13-12 lead in the final minute of the first quarter, securing the advantage (19-12).

Bangui continued to build momentum, fueled by Rolly Fulla's sharpshooting, amassing 11 points. By halftime, Bangui held a commanding twelve-point lead (46-34). City Oilers improved their shooting accuracy to 28% and mounted a comeback. They trailed by just one point with one minute left in the third quarter (61-62).

As the third period concluded, Bangui maintained a slim three-point lead (61-64). However, the game took a dramatic turn as City Oilers rallied in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 27-18. With the score tied at 68-68 and seven minutes remaining, the game was up for grabs.

In the final moments, the game took a decisive turn as Bangui extended their lead to 14 points, securing victory with a final score of 91-76. The Central Africans' resilient performance in the closing stages sealed the deal, leaving City Oilers with no chance for a comeback.

Watch the Full Game Below:‍