Highlights from the 2024 Nile Conference

Now that the 2024 Nile Conference is done and dusted, here are some highlights of the conference held at the Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex in Cairo.

The nine-day event gathered four teams from the North, Central and East of Africa, and by April 27, two teams Al Ahly SC (Egypt) and Al Ahly Ly (Libya) clinched playoff berth scheduled to take place in Kigali from May 24 to June 1.

Here's what happened during the 2024 Nile Conference:

Jo-Lual Acuil Jr sets new scoring record

Not only did Acuil Jr powered Al Ahly Ly to a 110-78 must-win over City Oilers, which saw the team finish second and secure their spot for the playoffs in Kigali, but he also finished with 42 points to set a new BAL All-Time scoring record.

In addition to his average of 10.5 rebounds per game, the South Sudanese currently leads this season with 23 points per game.

No one is safe, not even the reigning champions

City Oilers may have finished last in the conference with a 1-5 mark, but the Ugandan champions reminded everyone that no one is safe in the league by beating the BAL reigning champions Al Ahly SC 82-81 in front of their home fans.

It was Al Ahly SC’s second defeat in 20 BAL games, having lost 91-90 to Petro de Luanda at the very Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex last year.

Al Ahly SC won the Nile Conference for the first time after finishing second in 2023.

Khaman Maluach

In his third straight BAL season, 17- year-old Khaman Maluach shared a glimpse of what Duke University fans can expect from him later this year.

The seven-footer center was one of the most dominant players of the 2024 Nile Conference. He rebounded, blocked shots and attacked the rim as never seen before, and although City Oilers fell short of a place in the next round, Maluach had a campaign to remember.

Besides his five double-doubles in six games, Maluach averaged 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.

Thierry Darlan

The NBA Academy Africa alumni, who returned to the BAL after a season with the G League Ignite, was one of the reasons why Bangui Sporting Club had an impressive Nile Conference campaign, finishing with a 3-3 mark.

Darlan’s three double-doubles in six games combined with his clutch-shots made him one of the stars of the conference.

Even three out four head coaches in the conference would have picked him as MVP if there was an official award during the group phase.

Fans

For the second season in a row South Sudan fans, who form one of the largest migrant communities in Cairo, turned up at Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex in large numbers.

They didn’t support one team but their love for the game and watching their three countrymen Maluach, Acuil Jr and Majok Deng in action was priceless for them.

Al Ahly SC fans turned up this year in considerable in support of their heroes.