Rabat end Club Africain's unbeaten run

A crowd of 5,761 packed into the Moulay Abdellah Arena in Rabat to watch the home team, FUS Rabat, put an end to Club Africain's unbeaten run in the 2026 Sahara Conference.

The two teams traded blows throughout the 40 minutes, but the Moroccan champions ultimately emerged victorious, winning 71–68.

This victory saw FUS Rabat, who had already secured their playoff spot the previous day, improve their record to 3–1 with one game remaining, while Club Africain concluded their campaign with a 4–1 record.

Three nights after a nail-biting 67-66 loss to ASC Ville de Dakar, four FUS Rabat players combined for 59 points to help the Moroccans bounce back in front of a packed arena.

Kuany Atem Kuany led the quartet of FUS Rabat players to score in double figures, finishing with a game-high 20 points. Ayoub Nouhi contributed 15 points; Mouhamadou Diagne dominated the paint with 14 points and 11 rebounds; and Anthony Pritchard came off the bench to cause Club Africain all sorts of trouble, finishing with 10 points and 4 rebounds. 

The Moroccan champions took to the court knowing that beating the only undefeated team would boost the team's morale, which had taken a hit when three of their key players were ruled out due to injury.

In front of a packed crowd, most of whom were cheering on FUS Rabat, Kuany, Pritchard and Nouhi made sure to live up to their supporters’ expectations.

Time and again, FUS Rabat found themselves trailing, including by seven points early in the fourth quarter. However, when they switched to a zone defence, neutralising Club Africain’s transition and fast-break points, the Moroccans found the key to their long-awaited win. 

FUS Rabat outscored Club Africain 7–5 in the final five minutes, sending a packed arena into a frenzy. 

The 12 lead changes were the most registered in the first 13 games of the 2026 Sahara Conference, which shows how evenly matched the game was. 

FUS Rabat shot 31 for 71 from the floor, while Club Africain, playing without the pivotal Oussama Marnaoui, made 23 of their 68 shots. 

For the fifth game in a row, Omar Abada led Club Africain in scoring, finishing with 19 points after playing the entire game. 

The other two Club Africain players to have scored in double figures were Jesse Jones and Aminu Mohamed, who contributed 15 and 12 points respectively. 

Drew Cisse finished with 16 rebounds, beating the conference record of 14 previously set by Maktown Flyers’ Peter Olismeka, who grabbed 14 in their 97-72 loss to FUS Rabat.

FUS Rabat will return to action on Sunday, taking on Al Ahly.

WHAT THEY SAID:

Zied Chennoufi - Club Africain 

“We played well in the first half, but when FUS Rabat switched to a zone defence, we struggled to find solutions. This was one of our biggest problems in this game.”

“It was a good game, and I must congratulate FUS Rabat. However, we need to put this behind us and focus on what lies ahead.”

“If you had told me at the start of the season that we would finish the Sahara Conference with a record of 4-1, I would probably have said that's not too bad. But after going on a 4-0 run and then losing the last game, it's tough, especially since we risk losing our top spot in the conference. That would mean facing a stronger opponent in the playoffs in Rwanda.”

Kuany Atem Kuany FUS Rabat

“The coaches had a great game plan and we, as players, knew how important this was. We decided to play our basketball, fill in for the missing players, make use of the reinforcements we had and be backed by the amazing crowd, who showed up all week. We just needed to put on a good show and beat the top team. Club Africain is a good team.”

“Pritchard came off the bench and controlled the game; he can do it all as a guard. He brings the intensity that we need. Everyone is important in this team.”

BAL