Nigeria’s, Rivers Hoopers fairytale performance at the 2024 Basketball Africa League stopped after their 89-83 semi-final defeat to Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya in Kigali.
Hoopers, who were written off at the start of the season, had an impressive 5-3 record going into the semi-final game and had previously defeated the 2022 champions, US Monastir of Tunisia, in the quarter-finals.
Kelvin Amayo shone for the Hoopers, scoring a team-high 26 points, grabbing 15 rebounds for a double-double, and adding six assists and four steals. Devine Eke also recorded a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds in 42 minutes of play. Will Perry (16 points) and David Ike (10 points) were the other Hoopers who finished in double figures, while Victor Anthony Koko and Peter Olisemeka each secured nine rebounds.
Despite a poor start in the first quarter, where they trailed by 10 points (14-24), the Hoopers closed the gap to three points with 22 seconds left, making it 21-24. However, Al Ahly’s Kevin Marquis Murphy scored a buzzer-beater to extend their lead to seven at the end of the first quarter, and it was further extended to 16 points before being reduced to an 11-point game by halftime.
The Hoopers returned with greater intensity, hitting three consecutive buckets to cut the deficit to nine. Anthony was instrumental inside the paint, picking up rebounds and contributing defensively. The third quarter was the best for the Hoopers at both ends of the floor as they outscored Al Ahly Benghazi 23-8.
Starting the fourth quarter with a six-point lead, the Hoopers saw their advantage slip away, and the game was tied at 73-73 with One minute and twelve seconds left to play. Al Ahly forced the game into overtime and dominated, scoring 16 points while the Hoopers struggled offensively. This victory secured Al Ahly Benghazi’s first-ever appearance in the Basketball Africa League final.
The head coach of Rivers Hoopers, Ogoh Odaudu, expressed his determination to move past the loss and focus on the third-place game. “Nobody gave us a chance, but we will raise our heads high. Nobody thought we would be here today, and here we are,” said Odaudu. “It’s quite unfortunate the fairytale run has ended. We will try and make sure we come back and take the bronze medal game.”
Next for the Rivers Hoopers is Friday’s third-place game against the loser between Petro de Luanda and Cape Town Tigers.
