Round 5: Al Ahly hands first defeat to Fer.Beira

Nuni Omot

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Mozambican Fer.Beira (0-1) in Cairo on Wednesday night. Visitors were defeated by Egyptian Al Ahly (1-0) 92-74. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al Ahly made 23-of-26 free shots (88.5 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists comparing to just 10 passes made by Fer.Beira's players. The best player for the winners was South Sudanese-American Nuni Omot (206-1994, college: Baylor) who scored 21 points (was perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line). New Zealand Corey Webster (188-1988, college: Lambuth) chipped in 11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. American forward William Perry (183-1994, college: Lenoir-Rhyne) produced 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the guests. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending Egyptian champion maintains first place with 1-0 record, which they share with P.Luanda and Cape Town T. Fer.Beira at the other side still closes the standings with one game lost. They share the position with City Oilers and SLAC. Al Ahly is looking forward to face City Oilers (#4) in Kampala in the next round. Fer.Beira will play on the road against SLAC in Conakry and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Another exciting game was played in Conakry between leader South African Tigers and bottom-ranked Guinean SLAC where Tigers (1-0) beat SLAC (0-1) on the road 75-68. It was a key game for the top position in the league. American forward Josh Hall (206-2000) orchestrated the victory by scoring 15 points and 8 rebounds. Evans Ganapamo contributed with 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American Dane Miller (203-1990, college: Rutgers) answered with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 12 rebounds for SLAC. It was the only win of guest team this round and in all other games host teams recorded victories. Tigers keep a position of league leader, which they share with P.Luanda and Al Ahly. SLAC at the other side still closes the standings with one game lost. They share the position with Fer.Beira and City Oilers. Tigers will play against P.Luanda (#3) on the road in the next round, which may be the game of the day. SLAC will play against Fer.Beira and looks forward to get finally their first victory.
Very important is a road loss of third ranked Ugandan City Oilers (0-1) against leader Angolan P.Luanda (1-0) on Thursday night. Visiting City Oilers were defeated by P.Luanda in Luanda 89-71. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Aboubakar Gakou stepped up and scored 16 points and 6 rebounds for the winners. James Justice responded with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players and allowed the starting five to rest. Defending Angolan champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Al Ahly and Cape Town T. Defending Ugandan champion City Oilers still closes the standings with one game lost. They share the position with Fer.Beira and SLAC. P.Luanda will meet at home league's second-placed Tigers in the next round and it will be for sure the game of the week. City Oilers will play against the league's leader Al Ahly and look forward to get finally their first victory.

Group B