Carried by Mikh McKinney (28pts), Zamalek signed a 4th victory in a row this Saturday against Hope Fukash (101-92), during the 5th day of the Nile Conference. Despite the defeat of his team, the Congolese winger, Rolly Fula Nganga (28 pts) also distinguished himself. The Petro relied on Childe Dundao (16 pts) to defeat the Armed Forces and Police (73-60). We already know two play-offs in Kigali: Zamalek - SLAC and Petro Luanda - AS Salé.
Childe Dundão, 23, has offered Petro Luanda its ticket to the playoffs of the BAL 2022, scheduled from 21 to 28 May in Rwanda. The Angolan point guard distinguished himself against the Armed Forces and Police (73-60). In 31 minutes, he put in 16 pts, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. On his 1m87, he was in all the right moves, hence his good statistics: 50% in 3 points (3/6), 83% in free throws (5/6) and 44% in 2 points (1-3). Dundão confirmed his good tournament with an average of 10 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
He is a product of Petro Luanda. He has been playing with the senior team since 2016 when he made his pro debut. The Angolan took part in the U18 Afrobasket and the U19 World Cup in 2016. The young man already has 2 Angolan championships (2019 and 2022) and a national cup (2022). Petro Luanda will be able to rely on him for the rest of the tournament and especially for the play-offs in Rwanda next May.
The @WilsonBasktball play of the game goes to Rolly Fula from @Bc_EspoirFukash after he creates some space for a three pointer in the corner #theBAL #bceapoir pic.twitter.com/z5yEf8YZWj
— Basketball Africa League (@theBAL) April 16, 2022
McKinney - Nganga, duel of marksmen
At Zamalek, no one is indispensable. With Edgar Sosa rested and Anas Mahmoud (6 pts) and Ike Diogu (13 pts) not as lively, it is Mikh McKinney who takes charge. The Filipino-American point guard (1m85, 77 kg) helped the Egyptian club to maintain its unbeaten record against Fukash (101-92).
He had 25 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists in 26 minutes. McKinney thus allows Zamalek to secure its 1st place in this Nile Conference. Mikh McKinney (30 years old) is an old hand. He has played for several clubs in his career: Antwerp Giants (2015-2016), Delaware 87ers (2016-2017), Chong Son Kung Fu (2017-2020), Halcones de Xalapa (2021) and Edmonton Stingers (2021).
On the other side of the field, Rolly Fula Nganga also had a match. The Congolese winger (29 years old, 1m98) scored 28 points for 5 rebounds and 3 assists. But it was not enough for Fukash who suffered his third defeat in as many outings. The Congolese team must win its next two games to hope to qualify. The mission looks difficult against Petro Lunda (Monday) and Cape Town Tigers (Tuesday). Mikh McKinney and Rolly Fula Nganga are the first players to score 28 points in the Nile Conference. The record holder for points in a game is Terrell Stoglin (41 points), point guard of AS Salé. He achieved this performance against US Monastir (90-96) in Dakar.
Two quarter-final line-ups known
The table of quarterfinals is not yet complete. But we already know two posters. Zamalek, which takes the first place in its Conference will face SLAC. The Guinean club was ranked fourth last month in Dakar. And the other opposition will be Petro Luanda vs AS Salé (Morocco).
