Al Ahly Cruise Into BAL Final 8 as JCA Kings Exit After Heavy Defeat

Al Ahly secured their place in the Basketball Africa League Final 8 with authority, defeating JCA Kings 85–65 in a one-sided Sahara Conference clash.

From the opening minutes, Al Ahly imposed their tempo and never looked back, building a double-digit lead early and stretching it to as many as 23 points. Guard Zack Lofton led the charge with a standout 32-point performance, highlighting the Egyptian side’s offensive firepower.

The victory lifts Al Ahly to a 3–1 record and confirms their qualification for the playoffs for the third consecutive time, underlining their consistency at the continental level. In contrast, the JCA Kings’ debut BAL campaign comes to an early end, as the Ivorian side falls to 0–4 with one game remaining.

Despite flashes of promise throughout the tournament, including competitive performances in earlier games, the Kings were unable to keep pace in this decisive matchup. Jonathan Cissé once again led the team with 21 points, but it was not enough to prevent elimination as the gap in execution and experience proved decisive.