Africa-Press – Tanzania. AFTER an impressive start to 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Kalahari Conference campaign, Tanzania Champions Dar City fell to their first defeat, losing 118– 97 to Al Ahly Ly in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday.
Al Ahly Ly, the Libyan champions, set the tone early by racing to a commanding 17–4 lead in the opening quarter, forcing Dar City head coach Mamadou Gueye to call an early timeout. Although Dar City responded with a brief 5–0 run, they were unable to recover or take control of the game.
By halftime, Dar City trailed 51–34, struggling to replicate the form that had seen them dominate both Nairobi City Thunder and the Johannesburg Giants in their opening two games.
A sluggish start and poor shooting, highlighted by a 0-for-5 stretch from the field, hampered the Tanzanian side, while Al Ahly Ly capitalised with efficient scoring throughout the first half. Junior Madut was the only Dar City player to reach double figures before the break with 12 points, while Donovan Williams led Al Ahly Ly with 17.
Despite the defeat, Dar City saw standout performances from key players. Michael Foster delivered a game-high 37 points, while David Michineau contributed 20 and Madut added 18 points off the bench. For Al Ahly Ly, the victory was crucial after opening the tournament with backto-back losses against RSSB Tigers and Petro de Luanda.
The win significantly boosts their chances of claiming one of the four playoff spots in the Kalahari Conference, with two games remaining. Dar City had entered the matchup in strong form, having opened their campaign with a dominant 100–70 win over hosts Johannesburg Giants, followed by a hardfought 90–85 victory against Nairobi City Thunder less than 24 hours later.
Despite Tuesday’s setback, the Tanzanian side remains among the early frontrunners in the conference and is well-positioned in the race for a playoff berth. However, Dar City now face a demanding schedule, with a crucial clash against Petro Atlético of Angola coming up tomorrow, followed by their final groupstage match against RSSB Tigers on Saturday.
