Mike Fofana masterclass hands Rivers Hoopers first 2024 BAL defeat

Mike Fofana delivered a career-defining moment with a buzzer-beater shot, propelling AS Douanes to a thrilling 56-54 victory over Rivers Hoopers.

The win marked a significant turnaround for the hosts of the 2024 Sahara Conference, improving their record to 2-2 in a tightly contested game that went down to the wire.

Rivers Hoopers’ Will Perry had tied the game at 54-54 with just four seconds remaining, capitalizing on a technical foul on AS Douanes’ bench. However, AS Douanes’ coach Mamadou Gueye refused to entertain the idea of overtime, calling a crucial timeout to draw up a play that ultimately decided the final outcome.

Executing Coach Gueye’s strategy to perfection, Mike Fofana rose to the occasion, sinking the game-winning shot at the buzzer to hand the Nigerian champions their first defeat of the 2024 Basketball African League.

Fofana, reflecting on his performance, described it as the most significant shot of his career, hailing the trust Coach Gueye placed in him.

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“That was the exact play. [Coach Gueye] He drew it for me to set down the screen, catch-and-shoot, and I just made the play,” said Mike Fofana who hit the game-winning buzzer-beater shot.

“This is the biggest shot of my career, easily. This is my first walk-out game. I will never forget this one,” added Fofana who finished with 6 points.

The victory halted Rivers Hoopers’ three-game winning streak, setting the stage for a riveting conclusion to the conference with two games remaining.

AS Douanes’ collective effort was instrumental in securing the win, with standout performances from players like Madut Akec, Abdoulaye Harouna, and Adama Diakhite.

Despite the setback, Rivers Hoopers’ center Peter Olisemeka remained optimistic, vowing to bounce back stronger in their upcoming clash against APR.

Olisemeka, who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 18 rebounds, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome adversity.

“It’s one of those nights where things don’t always go as planned,” said Olisemeka who recorded his first BAL double-double of 16 points and 18 rebounds.

“We are going to come back stronger,” he added.

Looking ahead, AS Douanes will face US Monastir on Saturday, seeking to build on their momentum and continue their ascent in the conference standings.