There is a consensus among the FUS Rabat players that they never expected to find their playoff hopes hanging in the balance with just one game remaining in the 2025 Kalahari Conference.

The Moroccan champions had lost three of their opening four games, but on Saturday night they were determined to put the past behind them and focus on what lay ahead, and Stade Malien paid the price for their desperation.

FUS Rabat never contemplated a different outcome and by the time the final buzzer sounded, they had prevailed 77-67 despite a few challenges from Les Blancs de Bamako.

FUS Rabat were so focused that they only trailed for 13 seconds as they improved their record to 2-3 ahead of their final conference game against high-flying Al Ittihad (5-0).

Whatever the outcome of the final day of the 2025 Kalahari Conference on Sunday, FUS Rabat will finish above Stade Malien, who have lost all five of their matches so far.

What does FUS Rabat's second win over Stade Malien mean for the conference hosts?

Hope, they say.

"This was a big win for us after losing our first three games. We'll have to see what happens in the other conferences," said FUS Rabat big man Mouhamadou Diagne, who contributed six points, a game-high 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.

"The hope of making the playoffs is still there. Everything is still possible," the Senegalese said, adding: "We can still go to South Africa [Pretoria will host the BAL playoffs in 2025]."

Just when it looked like the game was over for FUS Rabat, the Malian champions went on an 8-1 scoring run to cut the deficit to just two points (50-48) with a minute left in the third quarter.

FUS Rabat coach Said El Bouzidi called a timeout and Diagne and Co regained control of the game.

Diagne said it's the hope of making the playoffs that keeps them and their fans hopeful.

"This is Morocco. They always support the team, no matter what the circumstances. Today, our fans helped us win against Stade Malien. Hopefully they will give us the support we need to win the next game."

Veteran Abdelhakim Zouita, who contributed 14 points and six rebounds, echoed Diagne's sentiments.

"It was a big win for us, hopefully we'll qualify for the playoffs," said the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions MVP.

Jonathan Jordan, who put on a show at both ends of the floor, led FUS Rabat with a team-high 18 points and five assists to go along with seven rebounds.

Stade Malien guard Mahamane Coulibaly seemed unfazed by the tireless support of the FUS Rabat fans, causing all sorts of problems. He finished with a game-high 26 points.

While Stade Malien will be looking for their first win of the season against Rivers Hoopers on Sunday, FUS Rabat will take on Al Ittihad.