Cape Verde’s Kriol Star began their Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elite 16 East Division campaign with a commanding performance, securing a resounding 89-58 victory over Malawi’s Bravehearts at the Nyayo Gymnasium on Thursday.
The win sets a confident tone for the Islanders, who are competing in the Elite 16 after receiving a wildcard entry.
Patrick McGlynn and Dieudonne Ndayisaba Ndizeye were the driving forces behind Kriol Star’s triumph, contributing 21 and 17 points, respectively. Their efforts, combined with a solid team performance, ensured a comfortable victory for coach Hugo Miguel Da Silva Salgado and his squad.
Kriol Star wasted no time asserting their dominance, taking an emphatic 32-7 lead in the first quarter. Their relentless offense and airtight defense suffocated Bravehearts early on, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. By halftime, the Cape Verde side had built a substantial lead that proved insurmountable for their opponents.
“We started very strong on defense, which was crucial to this victory. It was an important game to set the right mindset, but we must stay focused for the full 40 minutes. We’re taking it one game at a time as we pursue our goal,” said Kriol Star skipper Joel Almeida, who chipped in 10 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals.
Kriol Star’s performance was marked by balanced contributions across the board. Ali Lahibichi delivered a near double-double with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Helton Junior Lopes Correia added 14 points on 50% shooting. The team’s defense was equally formidable, holding Bravehearts to a paltry 36.8% shooting from the field and just 22.2% from beyond the arc.
For the Bravehearts, Christopher Karrol Williams was the lone bright spot, managing 17 points in a game where his team struggled to find rhythm offensively. Despite flashes of resilience, including a brief 6-0 run in the final quarter, Bravehearts were unable to recover from the early deficit.
The game’s defining moment came in the second quarter when Kriol Star went on a 12-0 scoring run, effectively silencing any hopes of a Bravehearts comeback. The Cape Verdeans capitalized on turnovers, scoring 10 points off Bravehearts’ errors, and maintained their dominance in second-chance points (19 to 10) and fast-break opportunities (15 to 5).
“Our team was assembled quickly after receiving the wildcard, but starting with a win like this is vital,” said coach Hugo Salgado, acknowledging the importance of momentum as his team targets a deep run in the Elite 16.
The victory sets the stage for a thrilling matchup as Kriol Star faces Kenya’s Nairobi City Thunder on Friday. With Thunder playing on home turf and coming off an impressive Road to BAL campaign, the game promises to be a true test of Kriol Star’s mettle.
Meanwhile, Bravehearts will look to regroup as they take on South Africa’s MBB Blue Soldiers, hoping to secure their first win and keep their tournament hopes alive.
As the BAL Elite 16 heats up, Kriol Star’s dominant opening performance not only underscores their intent but also establishes them as serious contenders in the quest for a coveted spot in the 2025 Basketball Africa League Championship.
Additional material sourced from FIBA
