Libya is on top of African basketball once again. Al Ahli Tripoli have officially been crowned BAL5 champions, following a commanding 88–67 victory over defending title holders Petro de Luanda on Saturday evening at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.
In what was expected to be a close showdown, Al Ahli Tripoli dominated from start to finish, showcasing composure, teamwork, and grit in front of a packed arena. The Libyan club finished the tournament with an almost perfect record, losing just one game in the playoffs, while maintaining a flawless campaign through both the Road to BAL qualifiers and the Nile Conference group stage.
This victory makes Al Ahli Tripoli the second Libyan club ever to win the prestigious Basketball Africa League (BAL) title, and they did it in style, taking down the reigning champions and asserting themselves as the best team on the continent this year.
The game’s standout performer was none other than Jean Jacques Boissy, whose leadership and explosive performances throughout the tournament earned him the well-deserved BAL5 MVP award. Boissy has been the heart and engine of this Al Ahli squad, showing up in the biggest moments and driving his team with intensity and passion. Additionally, their coach, Fouad Abou Chacra, has become the coach of the year.
Backing him up in the final was Ansem Marei, whose powerful presence in the paint made a huge impact. The Egyptian-born center dropped a commanding double-double, finishing with 22 points and 16 rebounds, a performance that helped control the tempo and keep Petro de Luanda from gaining any momentum.
For Petro, the loss was a tough blow after entering the finals looking to defend their BAL4 crown. But Al Ahli Tripoli’s defense and shooting proved too much on the night. Despite Petro’s deep experience and championship pedigree, they were outplayed by a hungrier, sharper side.
PHOTOS: Courtessy of BAL5 (IG)
