BAL 2026 Sahara Conference: Maktown Flyers Fall Short 79-62 as Dakar Clinch Playoff Spot
It was heartbreak for Nigerian champions Maktown Flyers as they crashed out of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara Conference, losing 79-62 to ASC Ville de Dakar in Rabat on May 3.
The defeat marked their fourth straight loss and confirmed them as the second Nigerian team to miss the playoffs since Kwara Falcons in 2023.
The Flyers started brightly, edging the opening exchanges and leading 12-9 midway through the first quarter.
But once Dakar’s Samba Fall found his rhythm, the tide turned. Fall scored five straight points to give Dakar the lead and never looked back, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a dominant double-double performance.
Despite the early fight, the Flyers struggled to contain Dakar’s offensive surge.
James Buttle Jr. top-scored for the Nigerians with 16 points, while Peter Olisemeka added 10, but the rest of the team failed to reach double figures.
