Rivers Hoopers are officially headed to the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs after a gritty 79-71 victory over Kalahari Conference hosts FUS Rabat on Thursday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex.
The win not only avenged their painful 2024 BAL exit but also confirmed Al Ittihad Alexandria’s place in the knockout stage, with both sides now sitting atop the standings—Al Ittihad at 4-0, and the Nigerian champions at 3-1.
For the Hoopers, the road to Pretoria is paved with pain, poise, and persistence. After surrendering an early 10-point deficit, the KingsMen clawed their way back, relying on momentum-swinging plays from Madut Akec, Peter Olisemeka, and a monster night from Raphael Putney.
FUS Fire First, But Hoopers Hit Back
A raucous Moroccan crowd roared FUS Rabat into a fast 8-3 start, but the Hoopers had no intention of folding. Shamba Maxi Munanga kept the scoreboard ticking, while Putney and teenage phenom Ike David Ugonna provided a strong interior presence.
The tide turned in the first quarter, ending 20-19 in favor of the Hoopers, but it was a seesaw battle from there.
The hosts responded in the second frame, with Mouhamadou Diagne bossing the paint and John Jordan orchestrating the offense. A 10-point lead opened up for FUS with two minutes left in the half, but Hoopers refused to buckle.
Two clutch plays—Olisemeka’s basket and Putney’s buzzer-beating three—reduced the gap to 36-31 at halftime.
Putney Dunks, Akec Dominates, Amayo Ignites
Putney set the tone early in the third quarter with a vicious dunk to make it a three-point game. Moments later, Olisemeka leveled it at 38-38, and Kelvin Amayo gave Hoopers the lead for the first time since the opening quarter.
The third ended with FUS still ahead 58-53, but the momentum had clearly shifted.
Amayo lit up the fourth quarter with four quick points to tie it again, and Akec came alive with crucial buckets under pressure.
With just under three minutes to go, Munanga nailed a massive three-pointer to give Hoopers breathing room at 71-65.
After a timeout, Yacine Baeri drained a three for FUS, and the crowd erupted. But Amayo and Olisemeka responded with an alley-oop dunk that sucked the air out of the arena.
At the other end, Putney stood tall—literally and figuratively—denying FUS any late miracle.
“Chip Away, Stay Together” – Hoopers Stay Locked In
Madut Akec, who led all scorers with 17 points, revealed the mindset behind the Hoopers’ second-half resurgence.
“We were just chipping away. That’s what we told each other… chip away at the lead, stay together, and just continue defending, keep rebounding,” Akec said postgame.
Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu praised the team’s preparation and mental toughness:
“We scouted the team [FUS], and what they could do and what they could not do. All in all, it was down to our determination.”
“It was all down to who wanted this game most. I think we wanted this game most, because it puts us in a golden position heading to South Africa.”
Putney the Protector
Though he scored fewer points than Akec, 34-year-old Raphiael Putney was the emotional engine of the team. He anchored the defense, hit big shots, and played with the fire of a man on a mission.
“Every game is a war, and I treat it like that,” Putney told reporters. “We’ve grown a lot since last season. This year, it’s not just about competing—we’re here to win.”
What’s Next?
Rivers Hoopers (3-1) remain second in the Kalahari Conference, with one game left to play before shifting focus to Pretoria in June.
FUS Rabat (1-3) and Stade Malien (0-4) must now wait nervously for the outcome of the other conference games in May to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
