May 23, 2025

Nine Takeaways from the First Eight Games of the 2025 Nile Conference

Fans following the 2025 Nile Conference could not have asked for more as the four contending teams put on an unparalleled show.

As of Friday, May 23, only four games remain in the conference, with one automatic playoff berth still up for grabs.

Below are some notes, facts, and milestones recorded after the midway point of the conference.

Al Ahli Tripoli on a mission

*Al Ahli Tripoli team photo on May 17, 2025, at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.*

Al Ahli Tripoli proved their dominance by overwhelming their opponents, securing the first automatic playoff spot in the 2025 Nile Conference.

The Libyan champions won their first four games by an average of 18 points.

Despite trailing for the first and only time in the conference, Al Ahli Tripoli went on to defeat APR 90–68.

They set a BAL record for the most points scored in a single game by defeating Nairobi City Thunder 115–87.

Boissy is the conference’s most productive substitute

Jacques Boissy #5 of Al Ahli Tripoli drives to the basket during the game against Made By Ball Basketball during the Nile Conference Group 2025 Basketball Africa League game on May 17, 2025, at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

Al Ahli Tripoli guard Jean Jacques Boissy played the first four games of the conference like no other bench player.

The 24-year-old averaged 28 points per game and made eight three-pointers in a single game, both season highs, in Al Ahli Tripoli’s 87-77 win over MBB.

Coming off the bench in all four Al Ahli Tripoli games, Boissy was pivotal in the team's successive run, which saw the BAL debutant side qualify for the playoffs in Pretoria next month.

Opong sinks Nairobi

*Robinson Opong Odoch #5 of MBB scores the game-winning three-point basket during the game against Nairobi City Thunder during the Nile Conference Group on May 20, 2025, at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.*

Robinson Opong delivered one of the biggest highlights of the season when he hit a three-pointer with three seconds left, helping MBB upset the Nairobi City Thunder 75-74.

Opong's game-winning shot cancelled out the Thunder's 18-point lead and boosted MBB's chances of competing for a playoff berth.

After a 0-2 start to the conference, MBB won two games in a row to improve to 2-2.

Diarra’s effect on APR

Aliou Diarra #10 of Armee Patriotique dunks the ball during the game against Nairobi City Thunder during the Nile Conference Group 2025 Basketball Africa League game on May 17, 2025 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

In his last 16 BAL games, Diarra recorded 14 double-doubles, making him the only player in league history to reach this mark.

He averaged 21.5 points and 13 rebounds in the first two games of the 2025 BAL season, setting a season-high six blocked shots in APR’s 92–63 win over Nairobi City Thunder on May 17.

However, Diarra sat out two of APR's four games, during which the Rwandan champions lost both games.

Deon Thompson’s unique mark

*Deon Thompson #41 of Al Ahli Tripoli looks on during the game during the Nile Conference Group on May 18, 2025 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.*

Deon Thompson was a pivotal piece in Al Ahli Tripoli’s 115-87 win over the Nairobi City Thunder. He shot 8-for-13 to finish with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists.

In the process, the 2009 NCAA Division 1 champion from the University of North Carolina set a BAL record for the highest efficiency (43) in a single game.

Mohamed Sadi is the heart and soul of Al Ahli Tripoli

*Mohamed Sadi #13 of Al Ahli Tripoli celebrates during the game against Nairobi City Thunder during the Nile Conference Group on May 18, 2025, at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.*

In an interview with BAL.NBA.com, Al Ahli Tripoli head coach Fouad Abou Chacra called his team captain, Mohamed Sadi, “the 2025 Nile Conference MVP.”

Sadi played at a very high level in the first four games, leading Al Ahli Tripoli on both ends of the floor. He averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and played a conference-high 36 minutes per game.

Kigali Fans

*A view of the arena during the game between the Armee Patriotique and Al Ahli Tripoli during the Nile Conference group play on May 20, 2025 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.*

Since the league’s inaugural season in 2021, Kigali has become synonymous with BAL, and Rwandan fans have lived up to expectations by attending games in huge numbers.

Their support has played a significant role in the success of the 2025 Nile Conference.

Most-viewed live BAL game on YouTube

*Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza #11 of Armee Patriotique celebrates during the game against MBB during the Nile Conference group play on May 22, 2025 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.*

Social media and digital platforms have become significant tools for amplifying the BAL’s reach. This week's game between APR and MBB on May 22 was the most-viewed game of the season, with 168,000 hits.

Nairobi City Thunder

The Kenyan champions won six of their seven Road to BAL games, but four games into the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Nile Conference, Nairobi City Thunder as the only team without a win.