Rivers Hoopers vs Al Ittihad Preview: The Battle of The Bright Stars

Rivers Hoopers vs Al Ittihad: The Battle of The Bright Stars

Sport doesn't just entertain—it reveals. It exposes rivalries, both new and old, that play out in real time, and basketball captures it all with poetic urgency. In fact, within this beautiful sport, we often come across a common saying, "The Game within the Game."

The impressive opening weekend of the 2025 Basketball Africa League (The BAL) season has laid the groundwork for a sleeping but steadily reigniting rivalry between West African and North African basketball, spearheaded by two talented South Sudanese ballers: Al Ittihad's tough-nosed vet Majok Deng and River Hoopers' smooth wing Madut Akec. A West African, North African and East African, "The Game within the Game," if you will.

For additional context, ​between 2001 and 2021, the FIBA men's AfroBasket tournament has been at the heart of the North—and West African men's rivalry. North African nations have appeared in the finals nine times and secured third place five times, whereas West African countries have reached the finals eight times and finished third place seven times.

More specifically, Egypt's senior men's national team have reached the finals once (2003) and fought their way into third place twice (2001, 2015), while Nigeria's team appeared in the finals three times (2003, 2015, 2017) and clinched third place three times (2005, 2011, 2021).

The opening two game days of the 5th edition of The BAL featured a series of standout team and individual performances. Leading the charge were Nigerian champions Rivers Hoopers, who impressed with a flawless 2-0 start to the season. Close behind were Egypt's Super Cup holders, Al Ittihad, who also went unbeaten in their opening two games.

Both 2-0 records were led by phenomenal back-to-back displays from River Hoopers' Madut Akec and Majok Deng of Al Ittihad, setting the stage for today's highly anticipated intense clash.

Madut Akec got his sophomore (READ: second) BAL season off to a blazing start vs Stade Malien by knocking down four 3-pointers (57% 3PT%) en route to 16 points to go with 11 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block. Not to be outdone by his younger compatriot, Al Ittihad's 32-year-old vet Majok Deng stepped off the bench and effectively said, "Hold my beer," and torched home town heroes FUS Rabat, with a 15-point, 13-rebound showing, which he amplified with two assists, two steals and one block.

On game day two, Deng, a former Australian NBL Cairns Taipans forward, returned his coach's faith in him by dropping 21 points on Stade Malien to help his Alexandria-based club get past the Malian League champions in their hard-fought 72-69 battle.

A mere few hours later, as if advocating for Nigerian Jollof rice, Madut Akec turned up the heat on FUS Rabat (and Majok Deng, for that matter) by posting 25 points, eight rebounds, and two assists while shooting an incredible 80% from long range (4/5 from the 3-point line).

An essential subplot to "The Game within the Game" is the contrast between Deng, a seasoned South Sudan national team mainstay who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Akec, who has yet to earn his debut for the Bright Stars. While Deng has consistently proven his worth on the international stage, Akec is quickly making a compelling case for himself. Should his upward trajectory continue, Akec could force his way into the national team conversation, potentially challenging the established order.

However, there's more to this afternoon's Rivers Hoopers vs. Al Ittihad clash than the brewing friendly rivalry between South Sudanese ballers Majok Deng and Madut Akec. This game will ultimately be a fascinating clash of two clubs with distinct playing styles and strategies, reflecting the contrast between West African and North African basketball.

The Rivers Hoopers, Nigerian champions, are known for their dynamic offensive schemes and strong team cohesion. Statistically, they excel at creating fast-break opportunities, often turning defensive stops into quick points. Their versatile scoring threats—highlighted by standout performances from Akec and Nigerian Kelvin Amayo—have already made them one of the BAL's most feared teams this season. The Hoopers' ability to score from the perimeter and dominate the boards has thus far [READ: Small Sample Size] been central to their success.

In contrast, Al Ittihad, Egypt's 2024 Super Cup champions, brings a slightly more disciplined, defence-first approach to the court. Known for their tough interior defence and efficient ball movement, they pride themselves on grinding out victories in tightly contested matchups.

Despite their emerging talent pool, the team remains anchored by experienced players like George King and Deng, whose leadership is vital to their composure in high-pressure situations.

As both undefeated clubs vie for early-season supremacy to keep their respective win streaks going, this game will be a clash of styles—fluid offence versus organised defence—with the personal rivalry between Akec and Deng only adding an extra layer of intrigue.

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[Photography and Highlight Footage Courtesy of The BAL]