BAL: Rivers Hoopers defeat Stade Malien 81-60 in Kalahari Conference opener

The Rivers Hoopers of Nigeria kicked off their Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 5 campaign with a commanding 81-60 victory over Stade Malien of Mali in the Kalahari Conference opener in Rabat, Morocco on April 5, 2025.

This game marked the first BAL match ever hosted in Rabat, setting a thrilling tone for the season.

The Rivers Hoopers, coming off a third-place finish in BAL 2024, showcased their depth and preparation, with Canadian-Nigerian guard Kelvin Amayo leading the way.

Amayo, named the Player of the Game, scored 19 points, highlighted by standout dunks that energized the crowd.

South Sudanese forward Madut Akec also played a pivotal role, contributing 16 points and 11 rebounds, including impressive stepback moves.

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Other key contributors included Raphael Putney with 14 points, Maxi Shamba with 11 points, and Peter Olisemeka, who added 9 points and 12 rebounds.

Stade Malien, a historic Malian club founded in 1960, struggled to keep pace despite their legacy of competing in the FIBA Africa Club Champions Cup

The game, which took place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, saw Rivers Hoopers capitalize on fast breaks and turnovers to secure the win.

This victory aligns with their goal to surpass their 2024 performance, as they aim for the BAL final, which will be held in South Africa in June 2025. S

Meanwhile, the win sparked enthusiastic reactions on X, with fans celebrating Nigeria’s strong start and Amayo’s performance, setting high expectations for the rest of the Hoopers’ campaign in the Kalahari Conference, where they’ll face Egypt’s Al Ittihad and Morocco’s FUS Rabat next.