Al Ittihad taking it one game at a time en route to BAL Playoffs

They have outplayed every opponent with unquestioned dominance, they look stronger with time, but humility has been the key to Al Ittihad's success in the first five games of the 2025 Kalahari Conference.

Al Ittihad will look to extend their unbeaten run when they take on hosts FUS Rabat on the final day of the conference.

Whatever the outcome of Sunday's game against Morocco's most successful team, Al Ittihad can't hide their intention to go all the way until the final day of the season.

And one of their players can give most of his teammates a piece of advice.

Majok Deng - one of only two Al Ittihad players ever to reach a BAL title game - has fond memories of reaching the most important game of the season.

Anas Mahmoud won the first BAL title with Zamalek in 2021.

It's a journey that requires discipline, humility and hard work, according to Deng, who helped Libya's Al Ahly Ly finish second in the 2024 BAL season.

"The lesson is that you can't take moments like this for granted," said Deng, who averaged 16 points per game as a substitute in Al Ittihad's first five games.

"You have to make sure you enjoy the moment, play hard because there are lot of teams that would love to be in our position.

"We try to make sure we take it one game at a time. Win today, win tomorrow, it's just the little things. We just want to focus on the little things that will get us to the championship game.”

The 2024 Paris Olympian with South Sudan knows all too well that reaching the BAL title game requires a collective effort.

"Play hard because when you put in a lot of effort, things tend to go your way. Playing hard means not disrespecting the game. Make sure you play hard all the time,” he said.

"We played as a team, and you can see the chemistry building."

Al Ittihad played the first five games of the conference at a high, intense and dominant level.

While teams like Stade Malien and Rivers Hoopers gave them some trouble in the paint, it's their three-point shooting that sets them apart.

"That's how we play," said Deng, reflecting on Al Ittihad's 94-77 win over Rivers Hoopers in a game in which he and six of his teammates scored from deep.

"That's one of our strengths. If you want to double-team us, we have a lot of good shooters. We just tried to play what the defense gave us," Deng said.

"We moved the ball well and found the open shot because we believe in each other and we can make those shots, that was another difference tonight."

Against the Hoopers, Majok Deng came off the bench and led all scorers with 18 points.