The Beira Railway Club began its Sahara Conference campaign in the African Basketball League (BAL) with a 71-77 defeat of US Monstir this Sunday at the Dakar Arena in Senegal.

The Mozambican champions played a game worthy of recognition, although not enough to prevent Sudanese Ater Majok from leading Monastir to victory.

The Beira Railway made great maneuvers, including substitutions and changing positions, but the former Los Angels D-Fenders center responded with subtle executions at both ends of the field.

At the end of the game, Ferroviário da Beira player Helton Ubisse acknowledged the opponent's commitment and told reporters that Majok "is not only great, but also flexible."

The game was extremely even, so much so that both teams, Ferroviário da Beira and US Monastir, led the scoreboard 11 times each.

The Beira-based team converted nine of 21 triple throws, whileMonastir could only hit three triples in 19 chances created.

South Sudanese Ater Majok finished the game with a game-high 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Tunisian US Monastir international Firas Lahyani finished with 15 points and North American Michael Dixon added 14 points for the runners-up in BAL's inaugural season.

William Perry and Jermelle Kennedy finished with 17 points each for the Beira club, and Ismael Nurmamade added 11 points.

Ferroviario da Beira head coach Luis Hernandez said "we did everything we could.