Maktown Flyers outlast the Kings for first-ever BAL win

The JCA Kings became the first team to lose two games in a row after their 76-68 defeat at the hands of the equally Basketball Africa League (BAL) debutant Maktown Flyers from Nigeria.

It was the Flyers' first-ever BAL win.

The Flyers took to the court with a sense of urgency, scoring 21 of their first 22 points from long range, with Tyrell Corbin leading the way by sinking all three of his shots from behind the arc in the opening six minutes.

The harder the Kings tried to adjust their defence, the more efficient the Flyers became. By halftime, the Nigerian champions were leading 46–38.

Jawad Adekoya out on a show leading Maktown Flyers with 20 points while three of his teammates scored 13 points or more each.

For the second time in a row, Chris Crawford could only score in single digits. 

One of only two players to have scored 500 points or more since the inaugural BAL season, Crawford shot 3-for-14 and finished with 7 points. 

Meanwhile, Jonathan Cisse and Robinson Opong led the Kings in scoring with 15 and 14 points respectively. 

After a disastrous first quarter in which the Flyers hit successive three-pointers, the Kings caught their breath in the second quarter after going on a 10-0 scoring run.  The Flyers were limited to shooting 2 for 10 from behind the arc as they headed to the locker room with a 46–38 lead.

However, the Maktown Flyers never panicked, restoring their control of the game in the third quarter, when they achieved a 16-point lead. 

Reflecting on their second straight loss, Cisse said: “They were the better team. We played better than yesterday, but we still struggled to make outside shots — myself included — so I take responsibility for that. We need to improve our outside shooting. It’s all about improving and learning from every game. We just need to keep fighting. We have guys who are hungry, and we're going to turn up the defensive intensity, focus on the offence, and we'll be better in the next two games.

“It’s tough because you never want to lose two games in a row. We just have to learn from it, try to improve, and aim to win the next three games,” Cisse concluded.

Ogbodeje Abah came up with 13 points off the bench. 

Abah, who scooped the 2025 Nigerian League MVP honours, said: “It was an electrifying game. When the coach called me off the bench, I made sure I did my part, and the game turned out in our favour. This is a big win for Maktown, where I am from. It means a great deal to me, and I am very proud to be part of this team.”

Asked about the Kings’ attempt to fight back in the second quarter, Abah replied: “ That was the best part. Most coaches might say a lot of things, but ours just kept saying, 'Keep doing what you were doing in the first quarter. Believe in yourselves and trust each other.' That was key to this win.”

Abah attributed their win to their togetherness. “This group is like family: we win and lose together. Nobody believed we could win; here we are. Let's keep pushing.”

While Maktown Flyers return to action on Sunday, facing FUS Rabat, JCA Kings will resume their campaign on Tuesday, taking on Club Africain.