Looking at the airport diagram.....
Seen from the tower, wouldn't the line-up points on 22 and 26 not have been almost in line, seen from the tower?
What would the ATC have seen in the near dark? The lights of the aircraft in just about the right position. Could he have discerned the heading of the aircraft? I very much doubt it.
Even if he had been watching, he wouldn't have seen the mistake until the aircraft starting rolling... too late.
As said before, one of those occasions, where the holes in the cheese have lined up.....
I would say, leave the ATC out of it.... and take a leaf from the book of the Brits. If they have had taxyway lights for decades.... why can't the "richest country in the world" afford to impose them as well?
Penny-wise and pound-foolish.