BAL 2026: Petro de Luanda edge Al Ahly Ly to seal back-to-back final spot

Petro de Luanda produced another remarkable comeback performance to defeat Al Ahly Ly 94-88 and book their place in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) Final for the third consecutive season and fourth time in six editions of the competition.

The Angolan champions showed championship mentality, overcoming a long deficit with a dominant fourth-quarter comeback to break Al Ahly Ly hearts and secure victory.

The Libyan side controlled large periods of the first three quarters and looked on course to secure a historic final appearance.

However, Petro’s experience in decisive BAL moments proved crucial.

The turning point came when Cleusio Castro delivered a powerful two-handed dunk to hand Petro a 75-73 lead with just over seven minutes remaining. From that moment, the Angolan giants never looked back.

Childe Dundao emerged as one of the game’s biggest heroes after coming off the bench to completely change the momentum.

His energy, defensive pressure, and offensive contribution sparked Petro’s comeback at a critical stage of the match.

Alongside him, veteran guard Gerson Gonçalves produced an outstanding attacking display, leading the scoring charge and guiding his team through tense closing moments.

The victory also carried historical significance.

This was a rematch of the 2024 BAL Final, and for the third time in BAL history, Petro de Luanda managed to overcome Al Ahly Ly on the continental stage.

Petro will now face Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers in Sunday’s final, while Al Ahly Ly take on Egypt’s Al Ahly SC in the third-place playoff.

Since the BAL began in 2021, Petro de Luanda have consistently proven themselves among Africa’s strongest and most successful basketball clubs.

They reached the semifinals during the inaugural edition before making the BAL Final for the first time in 2022.

After another strong campaign in 2023, Petro returned to the final in 2024 and repeated the feat again in 2025 and 2026, underlining their remarkable consistency in continental competition.

Founded in Angola, Petro de Luanda are one of the country’s most successful sports institutions, with a rich history in basketball and football.

Domestically, the club has won numerous Angolan Basketball League titles and has regularly represented Angola in African interclub competitions. 

Petro de Luanda face RSSB Tigers on May 31, 2026, aiming for another historic BAL continental triumph.

Photos