ABL WEEK TWO RECAP
By Musab Hussen Musa Rirash
Week 2 of the All Brothers League (ABL) brought an electrifying mix of passion and competition, showing why this season might be one of the league’s best yet. With every game packed full of intensity, the talent on display was undeniable. After our first-ever broadcast, it became clear that the emotion and energy in this league are unmatched. Here’s a breakdown of this week’s action:
The day kicked off with a highly anticipated matchup between Cold Hearts and Phantom. We caught up with two-time championship-winning head coach Mohammed Khayre to get his thoughts on this year’s Cold Hearts squad. “This team embodies the name Cold Hearts because they play with a cold heart and have no regard for the other team,” Khayre stated. He added, “This is one of the best teams I’ve coached during my tenure.” Cold Hearts were fresh off a bye, while Phantom entered the game after a Week 1 win. The game started slow, with both teams favoring shots from beyond the arc. Phantom’s star Mo Elmi came out strong but faded as the game progressed. Meanwhile, Cold Hearts got a major lift from Abdullahi Aden and Yonis Ahmed, who played pivotal roles on both ends of the court. Their contributions highlighted the championship pedigree instilled by Coach Khayre. Phantom’s poor shot selection ultimately led to their downfall, and Cold Hearts walked away with a 68-62 victory.
In the second game, Gear Five edged out Show Stoppers in a nail-biting 52-45 win, bringing their record to 1-1. Gear Five started with a burst of energy, led by Mobashar Ibrahim, who put up 15 points, and Abdullahi (AI), who chipped in 14. The team’s dominance in the paint and on the boards helped fuel their offense. Elias Guled added 10 points, rounding out the scoring for Gear Five. On the other side, Show Stoppers fought valiantly, with Abdullahi Nur scoring a game-high 22 points. Suhaybe Kite contributed 11 points, while Abdirahman Ahmed (A4) added 6, but despite their efforts, they couldn’t close the gap. Both teams were closely matched in rebounds and defense, but Gear Five’s execution in crucial moments proved decisive. With both teams now 1-1, the rest of the season looks to be highly competitive.
In the third matchup of the day.
Lights Out held off a remarkable second-half comeback by the Akhs, securing a 58-54 victory. Lights Out dominated the first half, building a 12-point lead behind the stellar play of Abdirizak Abdullahi (Azak), who dropped 26 points, and Abas, who contributed 13 points and controlled the boards. However, Akhs mounted a furious second-half rally, led by Abdullahi Ahmed (Dino), who scored 16 points, and Yahya Rashid, who added 15 points and 11 rebounds. Clutch shots from Abdalla Ahmed and Hanad Isse (Pinky) helped close the gap, but Akhs fell just short. As my broadcasting partner Musa said, “That’s the kind of relentless effort that gets you into the championship game.” Lights Out’s defense in crunch time sealed the win, improving their record to 2-0, while Akhs dropped their first game after sitting out Week 1.
The final game of the night saw Legends maintain control throughout their 58-49 win over Undisputed. Legends’ balanced attack was led by Weheliiye Omar (Wily), who poured in 16 points, and Sahal Jama, who hit three critical three-pointers as part of his 15-point outing. Khalid Abdi (Ksmoove) added 10 points in support. Undisputed struggled to find their rhythm, with recently traded Musab Mohamud leading the way with 13 points, but his impact wasn’t enough to change the tide. Despite strong performances from Abdullahi Warsame (Weero) who scored 17 points, Undisputed’s key players, like Adnan Hassan (Weezy) and Abdirahman Ahmed (Loki), had quiet games. The loss dropped Undisputed to 0-2, leaving them searching for answers as they adapted to their new roster.
As we head into Week 3, the stakes are getting higher. Legends will aim to keep their momentum going when they face Akhs, while Go Getters, fresh off their bye, will meet the undefeated Lights Out in what’s sure to be a thrilling contest. Cold Hearts will put their championship experience to the test against Gear Five, who are riding high after their win. Meanwhile, the Reapers, also returning from a bye, will square off with Phantom in a crucial game for both teams. Undisputed and Show Stoppers will get a break this week, giving them time to regroup and prepare for the challenges ahead. This season is shaping up to be a special one, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Stay tuned for more exciting action from the ABL!