Basketball-Africa-League Round 4 (Regular Season): FUS Rabat hands first defeat to Club Africain

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Tunisian Club Africain (4-1) recorded its first loss on the court of third ranked Moroccan FUS Rabat on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by FUS Rabat 71-68. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Club Africain. South Sudanese-Australian forward Kuany Kuany (210-2000, college: VCU) fired 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. French-Senegalese forward Mouhamadou Diagne (203-1997, college: Chipola JC) chipped in 14 points and 11 rebounds. point guard Omar Abada (189-1993) produced 19 points and 7 assists for lost side. Club Africain's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Moroccan champion maintains third position with 3-2 record having just eight point less than leader Tigers, which they share with Ahly Benghazi and ASCVD. Club Africain at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with 3 other teams.
Another exciting game was between second ranked Egyptian Al Ahly and one of their biggest challengers Moroccan FUS Rabat where Al Ahly (4-1) beat FUS Rabat (3-2) on the road 77-71. It was a key game for the top position in the league. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Malek Abdelgowad (208-2002, college: Southern) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 18 rebounds. Zach Lofton contributed with 17 points for the winners. Guard Anthony Pritchard (188-2003, college: CMU) replied with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists for FUS Rabat. Al Ahly have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Egyptian champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Moroccan champion FUS Rabat keeps the third place with two games lost. They share the position with Ahly Benghazi and ASCVD.
A very close game took place in Rabat between Senegalese ASCVD and Moroccan FUS Rabat. Fourth ranked ASCVD (3-2) got a very close victory on the road over one of their biggest challengers FUS Rabat (3-2). ASCVD managed to escape with a 1-point win 67-66 in the fight for the third place. Worth to mention a great performance of Solo Diabate who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. ASCVD's coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side Kuany Kuany responded with 19 points and 9 rebounds. ASCVD have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Senegalese champion moved-up to third place, which they share with FUS Rabat and Ahly Benghazi.

Rest of the games of round 4 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
winless JCA was defeated by Club Africain in Tunis 79-74. Al Ahly beat Maktown at home 89-80. Maktown lost to Club Africain on the opponent's court 77-86. Winless JCA lost to Egyptian defending champion Al Ahly in a home game 65-85. Winless JCA recorded a loss to ASCVD on the road 75-83. Maktown lost to Senegalese defending champion ASCVD on its own court 62-79.



Club Africain - JCA 79-74

There was no surprise in Tunis where bottom-ranked Ivorian JCA (0-5) was defeated by first ranked Tunisian Club Africain (4-1) 79-74 on Tuesday. However just five-point win is not that big difference and the fans of host team counted on more convincing victory. Strangely JCA outrebounded Club Africain 56-35 including a 38-25 advantage in defensive rebounds. Club Africain looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of Nigerian guard Aminu Mohammed (196-2001, college: Georgetown) who helped to win the game recording 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and American point guard Jesse Jones (183, college: Bridgeport) who added 18 points and 4 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Jonathan Cisse (185-2000, college: Texas Southern) responded with 30 points and 7 assists and his fellow American import guard Chris Crawford (193-1992, college: Memphis) produced a double-double by scoring 19 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Club Africain have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-1 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Ivorian champion JCA still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Giants.
Top scorers:
JCA: J.Cisse 30+4reb+7ast, C.Crawford 19+10reb+6ast, W.Babatunde 6+12reb+1ast, R.Opong 6+4reb, C.Diong 6+10reb+1ast, L.Thioune 3+2reb
Club Africain: M.Aminu 21+5reb+4ast, J.Jesse 18+2reb+4ast, H.Jamelle 11+6reb+1ast, C.Ziyed 8+2reb+1ast, A.Omar 6+1reb+7ast, H.Mohamed 6+4reb+1ast

Al Ahly C. - Maktown 89-80

No shocking result in a game in Cairo where second ranked Egyptian Al Ahly (4-1) defeated 5th ranked Nigerian Maktown (1-4) 89-80 on Wednesday. Al Ahly made 20-of-23 free shots (87.0 percent) during the game. They looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Kevin Murphy (197-1990, college: Tenn Tech, agency: The Crew A.M.) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 5 assists (made all of his nine free throws !!!) and South African forward Osayi Osifo (203-2000, college: Jacksonville) who added 20 points and 8 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field) during the contest. At the losing side American forward JC Butler (196-2000, college: UC Irvine) responded with 29 points (perfect from downtown making all five shots) and Italian-Nigerian center Peter Olisemeka (207-1991) scored 11 points and 8 rebounds. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Ahly have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Egyptian champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Maktown lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Maktown: B.JC 29+4reb+3ast, D.Hassan 13+5reb+3ast, J.Adekoya 13+2reb, P.Olisemeka 11+8reb+3ast, T.Corbin 7+4reb+9ast, O.Abah 4+3reb+2ast
Al Ahly C.: M.Kevin 22+4reb+5ast, O.Osifo 20+8reb, L.Zach 16+2reb+8ast, O.Omar 12+5reb, E.Amin 7+5reb+2ast, Z.Ibrahim 5+1ast

FUS Rabat - ASCVD 66-67

A very close game took place in Rabat between Senegalese ASCVD and Moroccan FUS Rabat. Fourth ranked ASCVD (3-2) got a very close victory on the road over one of their biggest challengers FUS Rabat (3-2). ASCVD managed to escape with a 1-point win 67-66 in the fight for the third place. Worth to mention a great performance of Ivorian point guard Solo Diabate (183-1959, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists and Samba Fall (194-1999) who added 17 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. ASCVD's coach used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. At the losing side South Sudanese-Australian forward Kuany Kuany (210-2000, college: VCU) responded with 19 points and 9 rebounds and French-Senegalese forward Mouhamadou Diagne (203-1997, college: Chipola JC) produced a double-double by scoring 13 points and 11 rebounds. ASCVD have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Senegalese champion moved-up to third place, which they share with FUS Rabat and Ahly Benghazi.
Top scorers:
FUS Rabat: K.Kuany 19+9reb, D.Mouhamadou 13+11reb+1ast, A.Nouhi 10+4reb+3ast, P.William 9+5reb+5ast, S.Kourdou 6+1reb+1ast, A.Pritchard 6+6reb+8ast
ASCVD: F.Samba 17+5reb+2ast, D.Solo 16+6reb+6ast, T.Axel 12+5reb+3ast, I.Sylla 6+1ast, M.Ater 5+7reb+2ast, M.Camara 4+6reb+1ast

Club Africain - Maktown 86-77

Very expected game in Tunis where 5th ranked Nigerian Maktown (1-4) was defeated by first ranked Tunisian Club Africain (4-1) 86-77 on Friday. Club Africain looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Worth to mention a great performance of point guard Omar Abada (189-1993) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 25 points, 5 rebounds and 11 assists and Mohamed Hadidane (207-1986) who added 15 points and 5 rebounds during the contest. At the losing side Abah Ogbodeje responded with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists and Italian-Nigerian center Peter Olisemeka (207-1991) scored 9 points and 12 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Club Africain have a solid four-game winning streak. They maintain first position with 4-1 record, which they share with 3 other teams. Maktown lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth place with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Maktown: B.JC 18+4reb, O.Abah 17+9reb+4ast, J.Adekoya 12+1reb+1ast, P.Olisemeka 9+12reb+1ast, A.Thomas 6+5reb+9ast, D.Hassan 6+5reb+4ast
Club Africain: A.Omar 25+5reb+11ast, M.Oussama 15+4reb, H.Mohamed 15+5reb+2ast, M.Aminu 9+7reb+5ast, H.Jamelle 8+9reb+1ast, J.Jesse 5

JCA - Al Ahly C. 65-85

Rather predictable result in Abidjan where second ranked Egyptian Al Ahly (4-1) outscored bottom-ranked Ivorian JCA (0-5) 85-65 on Friday. Al Ahly looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Al Ahly made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of American guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) who helped to win the game recording 32 points and American-DR Congolese point guard Johnathan Jordan (178-1992, college: TAMUCC, agency: Slash Sports) who added 5 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists during the contest. At the losing side American guard Jonathan Cisse (185-2000, college: Texas Southern) responded with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists and his fellow American import guard Chris Crawford (193-1992, college: Memphis) produced a double-double by scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds. Four JCA players scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Al Ahly have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Egyptian champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Ivorian champion JCA still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Giants.
Top scorers:
JCA: J.Cisse 21+5reb+8ast, W.Babatunde 13+8reb+1ast, K.Ulrich 10+3reb+1ast, C.Crawford 10+10reb+3ast, R.Opong 5+3reb, Y.Mike 4+3reb
Al Ahly C.: L.Zach 32+3reb+1ast, Z.Ibrahim 14+3reb+5ast, M.Khalaf 10+12reb, A.Malek 6+2reb, O.Osifo 6+5reb+3ast, J.Johnathan 5+9reb+9ast

ASCVD - JCA 83-75

Not a big story in a game in Dakar where bottom-ranked Ivorian JCA (0-5) was defeated by fourth ranked Senegalese ASCVD (3-2) 83-75 on Saturday. ASCVD made 25-of-33 free shots (75.8 percent) during the game, while JCA only scored eight points from the stripe. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when ASCVD made 7 blocks. Worth to mention a great performance of Ivorian point guard Solo Diabate (183-1959, agency: Interperformances) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Samba Fall (194-1999) who added 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals during the contest. Four ASCVD players scored in double figures. At the losing side American guard Jonathan Cisse (185-2000, college: Texas Southern) responded with 21 points and 5 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Chris Crawford (193-1992, college: Memphis) scored 11 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. ASCVD have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Senegalese champion moved-up to third place, which they share with FUS Rabat and Ahly Benghazi. Defending Ivorian champion JCA still closes the standings with five games lost. They share the position with Giants.
Top scorers:
JCA: J.Cisse 21+5reb+2ast, S.Mashebinu 13+6reb+3ast, C.Crawford 11+7reb+6ast, K.Ulrich 9+2reb+3ast, Y.Mike 8+2reb, E.Chris 6+5reb+1ast
ASCVD: F.Samba 19+5reb+4ast, D.Solo 18+10reb+4ast, T.Axel 11+6reb+1ast, B.Badji 10+7reb+1ast, D.Angok 9+2reb, D.Mamadou 6+1ast

FUS Rabat - Club Africain 71-68

Undefeated Tunisian Club Africain (4-1) recorded its first loss on the court of third ranked Moroccan FUS Rabat on Saturday night. Visitors were edged by FUS Rabat 71-68. It ended at the same time the four-game winning streak of Club Africain. South Sudanese-Australian forward Kuany Kuany (210-2000, college: VCU) fired 20 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. French-Senegalese forward Mouhamadou Diagne (203-1997, college: Chipola JC) chipped in a double-double by scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. Four FUS Rabat players scored in double figures. point guard Omar Abada (189-1993) produced 19 points and 7 assists and Nigerian guard Aminu Mohammed (196-2001, college: Georgetown) added 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for lost side. Club Africain's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Defending Moroccan champion maintains third position with 3-2 record having just eight point less than leader Tigers, which they share with Ahly Benghazi and ASCVD. Club Africain at the other side still keeps top place with one game lost. They share the position with 3 other teams.
Top scorers:
Club Africain: O.Abada 19+3reb+7ast, J.Jones 15+1reb+2ast, A.Mohammed 12+11reb+4ast, J.Jawadi 7+3reb, Z.Chennoufi 5+3reb+1ast, M.Hadidane 5+4reb
FUS Rabat: K.Kuany 20+5reb+3ast, N.Ayoub 15+4reb+2ast, M.Diagne 14+11reb+1ast, P.Anthony 10+4reb+9ast, W.Perry 5+1reb+2ast, B.Soufiane 3+1reb+2ast

Maktown - ASCVD 62-79

The game between closely ranked teams ended with fourth ranked Senegalese ASCVD's (3-2) road victory over 5th ranked Nigerian Maktown (1-4) 79-62 on Sunday. ASCVD dominated down low during the game scoring 60 of its points in the paint compared to Maktown's 40. ASCVD forced 24 Maktown turnovers and outrebounded them 47-36 including a 34-23 advantage in defensive rebounds. Worth to mention a great performance of Samba Fall (194-1999) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and center Baboucar Badji (207-2006) who added 13 points and 10 rebounds during the contest. Four ASCVD players scored in double figures. At the losing side American forward JC Butler (196-2000, college: UC Irvine) responded with 16 points and 6 rebounds and Italian-Nigerian center Peter Olisemeka (207-1991) scored 12 points and 9 rebounds. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. ASCVD have a solid three-game winning streak. Defending Senegalese champion moved-up to third place, which they share with FUS Rabat and Ahly Benghazi. Maktown lost fourth consecutive game. They keep the fifth position with four games lost.
Top scorers:
Maktown: B.JC 16+6reb+3ast, P.Olisemeka 12+9reb, O.Abah 7+5reb, I.Doumbia 6+1reb, J.Adekoya 6+1reb+2ast, T.Corbin 6+6reb+7ast
ASCVD: F.Samba 20+10reb, B.Badji 13+10reb+3ast, M.Camara 12+8reb+1ast, M.Ater 12+3reb, D.Solo 10+1reb+2ast, T.Axel 5+1reb+2ast

FUS Rabat - Al Ahly C. 71-77

Another exciting game was between second ranked Egyptian Al Ahly and one of their biggest challengers Moroccan FUS Rabat where Al Ahly (4-1) beat FUS Rabat (3-2) on the road 77-71. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Al Ahly forced 20 FUS Rabat turnovers. The game was dominated by American players. Worth to mention a great performance of forward Malek Abdelgowad (208-2002, college: Southern) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 17 points and 18 rebounds. Guard Zach Lofton (193-1992, college: NM State, agency: Slash Sports) contributed with 17 points for the winners. Guard Anthony Pritchard (188-2003, college: CMU) replied with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists and forward William Perry (183-1994, college: Lenoir-Rhyne) added 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the effort for FUS Rabat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Al Ahly have a solid four-game winning streak. Defending Egyptian champion keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Defending Moroccan champion FUS Rabat keeps the third place with two games lost. They share the position with Ahly Benghazi and ASCVD.
Top scorers:
FUS Rabat: A.Pritchard 14+9reb+5ast, P.William 12+5reb+4ast, S.Benhmine 11+3reb+3ast, A.Badreddine 10+2reb+1ast, K.Kuany 10+6reb+2ast, A.Nouhi 7+5reb
Al Ahly C.: L.Zach 17+2reb+3ast, A.Malek 17+18reb+1ast, Z.Ibrahim 11+3reb, J.Johnathan 10+4reb+5ast, M.Khalaf 10+7reb, E.Amin 6+6reb+2ast