SOA Holds Off Azur in Côte d'Ivoire Champ.N1 Thriller

SOA secured a hard-fought 86–78 victory over Azur in a Côte d'Ivoire Champ.N1 matchup played on May 24, 2026, at 21:00 local time. The home team used a strong second-half surge to overcome a resilient Azur side and claim the win in front of an energetic crowd.

Game Story

The contest was tightly contested from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stands. Azur came out firing, matching SOA’s intensity and even taking a slim lead into the halftime break. However, SOA regrouped in the locker room and emerged for the third quarter with renewed purpose. A combination of aggressive drives to the basket and sharp three-point shooting allowed SOA to flip the script and build a lead they would not surrender.

Decisive Moments

The turning point came midway through the third quarter, when SOA went on a 12–2 run that stretched their advantage to double digits for the first time. Azur fought back valiantly in the fourth, cutting the lead to five points with under three minutes remaining, but SOA’s composure at the free-throw line and a clutch defensive stop sealed the result. Key contributions from SOA’s bench provided valuable minutes and scoring depth that proved crucial.

What This Means

For SOA, the victory reinforces their status as a competitive force in the Côte d'Ivoire Champ.N1, demonstrating their ability to win close games under pressure. Azur, meanwhile, can take pride in their competitive effort but will need to sharpen their execution in tight moments to convert close losses into wins going forward.