Monrovia—In a recent international friendly match, Liberian basketball champions Mighty Barrolle suffered a substantial defeat against Libyan champions Alahli SC.
By Christopher C. Walker , [email protected]/0777898224/0886723075
The game, held in Tripoli on Monday, ended with a score of 98-53, marking a 45-point margin in favor of the Libyan side.
This friendly is part of both teams’ preparations for the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) preliminary qualifiers, set to kick off on Thursday, October 10, in Tripoli.
Barrolle will start their Group B campaign against Abidjan Basketball Club (ABC) as they aim for a coveted spot in the elite 16 tournament scheduled for November in Ivory Coast. To qualify, Barrolle must finish among the best performers in their group.
This match is particularly significant for Barrolle, as it represents the first major tournament participation for a Liberian team since the Liberia Basketball Association was suspended from all international competitions by the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) due to a prolonged leadership crisis.
Barrolle has dominated the local scene over the past four seasons and is the first Liberian club to compete in the Basketball Africa League, with hopes of making an impact on the international stage.
The Rollers departed Liberia for Tripoli on Saturday, October 5, preparing for their upcoming BAL campaign.
In Group B, Barrolle will face off against ABC Fighters from Ivory Coast, Sprintex Knights of Ghana, and Elan Cotton from Benin.
In a boost for the squad, star player Brian Nyengbe returned from China and arrived in Tripoli on Tuesday, October 8. Nyengbe played a crucial role in Barrolle’s championship victory in 2023 and his experience will be vital as the team seeks to achieve its goals in the upcoming qualifiers.
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