Zamalek’s basketball team have extended their unbeaten run with a win over Espoir Fukash in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
A new format was implemented for the second edition of the BAL with the 12 participating teams divided into two conferences of six teams, the Sahara Conference and the Nile Conference.
The top eight teams from both conferences advance to the playoffs, which is a single-elimination tournament.
The White Knights had a great start to their title defence after earning a comfortable 83-60 win over South Sudan’s Cobra Sports Club.
They were once again victorious in their second game against South African side Cape Town Tigers with a 101-77 scoreline followed by a hard-fought 85-72 win against Angola’s Atlético Petro de Luanda on Friday.
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On Saturday, Zamalek extended their winning streak as they came out on top against Espoir Fukash with a 101-92 to secure a spot in the playoffs along with Atlético Petro de Luanda.
“We didn’t get the level contribution from the bench that we expected. We pushed the lead early — 21 points, bench came in, they [Fukash] came back,” Zamalek Will Voigt told reporters after the game.
“Same thing, up 21 points in the fourth quarter, the bench came in, they come back. Both those moments were opportunities to take to a 25 or 30 points lead, but we never keep that push. Credit to them for fighting throughout.”
The champions have one final game remaining in the Nile Conference against Cameroon’s FAP, set to take place on Tuesday, April 19th.
