ENTERING the Bargny Basket Club’s facility in the Bargny Commune, located 50 km outside Dakar, Senegal, you observe girls and boys practising their drills under the supervision of the club’s coaches. Amidst the bouncing of basketballs inside the enclosed centre, this writer noticed a distinct work of art, a mural.
The painting is an homage to the members who have passed on. “When people come here, they need to know that there were those who came before them. These are former members who served the club, and this is a legacy they need to continue,” said former club player and current president Seydina Mamadou Lahi.
Part of honouring the people on the mural is growing the club, and Lahi’s mission is to ensure that Bargny BC makes strides in Senegalese basketball. “I am from Bargny. I have always been close to the team. My objective is to grow the club, and I want the men’s and women’s teams to get to the first divisions here in Senegal,” said Lahi.
Bargny Basket youth players go through their paces. Pictures: The BTO
Lahi aims to achieve the goal of both the men’s and women’s clubs going to the upper ranks sooner rather than later. “The goal is to make the teams reach the first division (NM1 and NF1) in the next two to three years. But next year is a possibility; we are working on it, and we are confident we can achieve that,” said Lahi.
Serving the community has shaped the club. Having players gravitate towards it is a testament to the correctness of establishing the club in Bargny.
“Our impact is social and educational. The club is developing basketball players, but it is important that they attend school and do well. There are multiple teams, girls and boys, and through this club, we want them to improve their lives,” said Lahi. “The club used pay for some kids to go to school. This is our duty because we want to help the next generation in the best way possible.”
He further emphasised the importance of education. “Education is the key. Like these kids, I played basketball and went to school, and I became the person I am today because of that. I want the same for them. To have basketball and education, because sport is not the only way to succeed,” said Lahi.
The Bargny Mural honouring those who have passed on.
“(In Senegal) Our attitude has been that one can’t be good at basketball and academics as well. So with good organisation and hard work behind the scenes, we have been able to achieve that. We want them to become succeful men and women. It would also be good if some of them have careers as professional basketball players. Who knows, some of them could represent Senegal.”
The club’s success depends on community support, and Lahi says they have worked hard to increase the club’s visibility in Bargny. “We have a good fanbase here. We have a lot of support. Sometimes we bring artists and wrestlers, and at times they perform, which helps the club’s image. These are important for the community and the club,” said Lahi.
As Bargny continues its legacy while charting its future, the responsibility now rests with Lahi. Moreover, as a man who appreciates all these elements, the club is surely in good hands.
Currently competing in Wuhan, China, at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournaments (11-17 March), the Malians appear to offer Africa the strongest chance of securing a second berth at this year’s World Cup, alongside Nigeria’s D’Tigress, who have already qualified by virtue of winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket.
Oumarou Sidiya, who led Mali to the Women’s AfroBasket final last year and a third-place finish at the 2023 tournament, remains at the helm as the coach. Sidiya has contributed to the success of Mali’s U16 women’s national youth programmes, which have been dominant since 2009. He also played a role in developing players like Sika Koné.
Having proven himself at the youth level and elevating Mali at the last two women’s senior AfroBaskets is a sign that Sidiya is worth his salt as a coach. He could be the right man to lead Mali to a third World Cup appearance.
Can Oumarou Sidiya mastermind a successful World Cup qualifying campaign for Mali? Pictures: FIBA Africa
Sika Kone (Forward): Former WNBA player Koné is one of Mali’s most prominent players. At last year’s AfroBasket, she averaged 10.4 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and recorded an efficiency rating of 16.6. Kone is a vital cog for Mali to have a good run in these qualifiers.
Djeneba Ndiaye (Guard): The Scotland-based Ndiaye played a leading role in Mali’s run to the 2025 AfroBasket final, scoring 12.4 and dishing out 2.2 assists. Despite being undersized (165cm/5ft4), Ndiaye is not afraid to take on bigger players in the paint. It led to her making nine of her 16 free throws.
Alima Dembele (Forward): Dembele will be a vital scoring component for the Malians. She is a player with a strong inside game, which the West Africans will rely on. Her 10.2 points and four rebounds contributed to Mali’s impressive run at last year’s AfroBasket, and the Sahel nation will count on her production at the qualifiers.
Team Strengths
Continuity: The majority of Mali’s roster have progressed through the national youth system, with players such as Kone, Ndiaye, and Dembele having previously competed in FIBA youth tournaments at both the continental and global levels. Players such as Maimouna Haidara, the MVP of the 2022 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket, have been gradually integrated into the squad over the years. Oummou Koumare, the MVP of the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket, has since joined Haidara and other teammates for the qualifiers in China.
Strong Rebounding Team: Mali ranked third in rebounding at the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket, collecting 54 team rebounds. Individually, Koné was second in the tournament, averaging 11 rebounds per game.
Sika Kone carries Mali’s hopes at the World Cup Qualifiers.
Qualifying Group
The Malians, who will compete in the Wuhan leg of the qualifiers, are in Group A alongside fellow African team South Sudan. Completing the group are hosts China, Belgium, Brazil, and Czechia. Mali holds a 2–0 record against South Sudan, but recent matchups against Brazil, Czechia, and China have ended in defeat for the West Africans.
Qualifying Chances
Mali, who last competed in the 2022 Women’s World Cup, are possibly the best hope for Arica to have a second representative at the Women’s World Cup in Germany. The investment made in their development programme over the years has paid off. Mali face a mountain, and the only way to scale it is to be in sync and improve on the performance of the last AfroBasket.
NAIROBI City Thunder have become domestic titans since the Twende ownership group took over the club. For the last two years, they have dominated the Kenyan basketball scene, and did so in spectacular fashion. One unbeaten season after another is shaping this ball club into a dynasty. The man who has crafted the Thunder’s invincibility on the court is Bradley Ibs.
With another season coming up, there will be new pressure. There will probably be talk of a dynasty and possibly maintaining the aura of invincibility. It’s something Ibs dismisses from his train of thought, and it has not crept into the team’s psyche.
“I think it’s something that gets discussed more outside our locker room than internally. I know that as a coaching staff, we spend zero time talking about it,” said Ibs. “It certainly doesn’t mean we don’t want to win. We are extremely competitive. I think our way of operation is ‘what can we do today, what can we do this week to get a little bit better?'”
Ibs continued: “We like to trust the fact that we have talented players in our locker room. I think if we stay on the cutting edge of improvement and keep the team motivated, then we can trust the results.”
Brad Ibs and the Thunder want to redeem themselves in BAL Season 6. Pictures: FIBA
While the Thunder ran rampant in the league again last year, Ibs says there were some nervous moments. “We had some scares last year… Some close games, I think one or two games might have gone into overtime,” said Ibs. “If we go undefeated again this season, then it will be great. I think ultimately we want to improve playing our best basketball until the end of the season and taking Nairobi City Thunder to another national championship.”
Ibs and the Thunder are also making a return to the BAL, after triumphing yet again at home at the Elite 16 stage of the continental qualifiers.
Having finished last year’s BAL Season 5 with a 1-5 record in the Nile Conference, Ibs will hope for a turnaround fortune this year.
He spoke about the lessons he learnt from their debut tournament and where he hopes the Thunder will finish this year.
“I think one of the lessons I learnt from the BAL last year is the importance of proper roster construction. There is a real sensitive balance when you build a roster for these types of tournaments,” said Ibs. “You need to maintain the core of who you are as much as you can, and also, there is a need for the high-level temporary players. Those are the plugin players because the time level is short to prepare them and get them on the same page.”
Brad Ibs is aiming for balance within his Thunder team at this year’s BAL.
He finally spoke on the goal for this year’s BAL, and he intimated that going beyond the group stage would be a starting point.
“I think at a baseline level, we definitely want to make it out of conference play this year. We are also really hopeful that we will compete at a high level once we get into the final round in Rwanda,” said Ibs. “It was unfortunate how we played and how we represented ourselves last year. I don’t know how many teams in their first year of existence make it to the BAL… Win a game in the BAL. There were a lot of difficult lessons to learn, and I think we have learnt them.
“We look forward making some changes based on that knowledge that we got.”
Ibs and Thunder are in their preseason, and so far, they have hit the right notes with wins over a South Sudan select team and the army club, Ulinzi. With the rigours of domestic and international competition set to begin, Ibs will hope his band of Thunder players stay in tune and don’t miss a beat.
CôTE d’Ivoire legend Guy Landri Edi has taken a new step in his basketball career. He has assumed the reins as general manager of the local team, HyperSonics. This, after having had a productive playing career for the US College Gonzaga Bulldogs, the Elephants (national team) and various clubs abroad. It’s a job he looks forward to and has prepared for, and while he has hit the ground running in his front office role, he made a surprise admission.
“It’s an honour… It is what I always wanted to do. I went to college and studied sports management. Ideally, this was the next move after my career,” said Edi, a 2021 AfroBasket silver medallist. “Even if I did not officially announce my retirement… I have been planning for the next phase of my career.”
Edi acknowledges he has not played competitive basketball in a while, and as he fulfils his boardroom duties, he teased that he might play when the Ligue d’Or at a later stage.
“The fire of playing still exists inside of me, I am not going to lie. Every time I watch the game, I feel like, ‘arghh, I could be in there, I can still do this,” said Edi “Physically, I can still play at a high level, but preparing for after my career is also important. I always say to myself, ‘Why play another two years?’ ‘To prove what?’. I have done a lot in my career and played in major tournaments.”
Stating that he feels he has gas in the tank, will Landry suit up the HyperSonics jersey during the season?
“Aah, stay tuned, maybe!” exclaimed Landry. “I usually train with the guys to show them what it’s like to be a high-IQ player. Not just being physical, but you have to understand the game. I can see the gap. Although I haven’t played in two years, I can still do a lot more.
“The president has said they could keep me as a wild card for the championship playoffs, and if possible, the BAL.”
Guy Landry Edi, in the colours of Côte d’Ivoire, has hit the ground running as general manager of HyperSonics. Pictures: Supplied and FIBA Africa
While he mulls over his playing career, and as the GM of HyperSonics, Edi has a competitive pedigree. Having played in two FIBA World Cups and three AfroBasket tournaments, and twice in the FIBA Europe Cup, Edi knows what it takes to play at a high level and could have the right stuff to make HyperSonics a major force in Côte d’Ivoire. He says the right structures are in place at the club and that there is alignment between himself and the club’s president.
“We have high expectations. Our president has a vision. We started talking around April, and he was speaking about his vision, and he wanted me to come back and work with him,” said Edi. “We realised we have the same vision. The things he put in place in such a short amount of time, creating Hypersonics and also to have a second team in the first league, ABI Snipers proved this.
“And then you have a whole youth programme and women’s team. Then there are teams in the second and third divisions. So, everything is set up. If I were to do something like this, it would have taken me 10 years.”
Edi continued: “He had the whole thing set up, and he just needed me to come with my knowledge in basketball and help him restructure all these things and build a team that can compete in the league.”
Landry did not want to divulge the full plan, but he made one thing clear: he wants to turn HyperSonics into a championship team.
“We really want to put Ivory Coast basketball on the top level and are really trying to be champions this year… That is the expectation this year. When I talked to the guys, I told them, ‘last year you were almost last, so we have to take the tag of losing out because I am not a loser, and you guys don’t want to walk around with this tag too.’ So, from day one of practices, we set the bar high,” said Landry.
While he laid out the club’s ambitious plan for the season, there will be competition in the form of defending champions JCA, ABC Fighters, SOA and ASA.
Guy Landry Edi has built up a respectable playing resumé over the years.
Edi shared his view on the size of the challenge he and Hypersonics are facing. “It’s big. JCA are the champion. They have the crown right now. I wish them well for the (Road to) BAL. It benefits our country when we have a team that can get into the BAL. When we had the Road to BAL here (Côte d’Ivoire), I went there to support the team… The (JCA) head coach, Stéphane Konaté, is a friend of mine. We played together for many years in the national team,” said Edi.
“We played against (JCA) them a week before the Road to BAL, and they smacked us… It’s the message I wanted to send to the team. I knew our players were not ready to play against them, and I wanted them to know where we stood as a team and the level we needed to be to compete against that type of team.
“It was a wake-up call for the players. They are now coachable. You could see in our practices things are much better and the guys are realising we are not there yet. So it was one of the strategies I used to play against them (JCA) for the players to be receptive.”
Post the interview, Edi’s project to rebuild the HyperSonics is on track. They hold a 6-3 record in Ligue d’Or after winning two games in a row since the beginning of the year. This has placed them in the top four. If they maintain their momentum, Edi and the HyperSonics could shake things up in the Ivorian domestic league.
“THE story starts in 2023. I was doing my masters at UCT. I was the captain of the first team, and I was trying out for the Western Cape Mountaineers (BNL franchise). Then I started to notice a few changes in my body, hair loss, chronic fatigue and weight loss. It’s something I struggled with (weight loss) as I was already a lanky and scrawny guy,” explained Mutsa Bingandadi.
Things were going well for Bingandadi, and the last thing he would have expected was to be engaging in a fight for his life. He was excelling academically and on the court, but the sudden changes in his body were signs of the beginning of a lifelong battle with the autoimmune disease, lupus. A consultation with a specialist doctor confirmed as much. This was his second encounter with the virus. He first witnessed his sister bravely battle the disease, but she sadly passed away due to complications related to lupus.
“I decided to see my GP, who then referred me to a rheumatologist… Yeah, his immediate indication was ‘this is probably lupus.’ With the added context that my sister, who is now late, also had lupus… it meant it could be a genetic thing,” said the shooting guard, who holds a masters degree in project management.
The doctor’s confirmation rocked Bingandadi. As devastating as the news was, he has been fortunate enough to have a community around him, one that willed him to keep fighting.
“Initially, I was shocked because I knew what it could mean for me. The support I received from family and friends was great. Part of the reason I reached out (to The Big Tip Off) was that sports had a huge impact on my life. It provided me with a space and community that can rally around people in need,” said the former St Alban’s College pupil.
Mutsa Bingandadi says living with lupus has taught him to be resilient. Pictures: The BTO
Having seen his sister live with lupus, what lessons did he take from her life? “The main thing was continuing to push, living life to the fullest and maintaining discipline. It’s an autoimmune condition, where the body attacks itself, and it can snowball into something much bigger,” said Bingandadi.
In his case, it did. The 2023 USSA All-Star says the disease took an aggressive turn during his relocation to the South African capital last year, costing him a season of basketball.
“In 2025, I had another flare-up. As I was moving from Cape Town to Pretoria, things got worse and worse. I was admitted to hospital and started receiving treatment after being diagnosed with lupus again. This time it was more concrete… I suppose,” said Bingandadi.
While he reacclimates to life in Tshwane, where he last played as a schoolboy and now works as a business analyst, what changes has he had to make in his life?
“… Some lifestyle changes. And dietary changes, mostly. And also being hyper aware of what I expose myself to. It impacts the skin, and so it means lots of sunscreen and looking for shade,” said Bingandadi. “Being outside and working out is difficult because of fatigue. I also have to be vigilant as far as taking my meds. Otherwise, it’s quite manageable.”
Given his present experience, he hopes his message reaches organisations and people who can help him raise awareness about lupus. “Part of what I wanted to share was that there are also financial implications to it. I come from a good family. I am reasonably stable too. But those medical bills do pile up, and things do become difficult. So my mind is set on people who ca afford the treatment. If anyone knows any organisations or institutions that I can get in touch with for fundraising events, that would be great. I have also reached out myself, and I am waiting for replies,” said Bingandadi.
Mutsa Bingandadi feels ready to play basketball again.
As he fights every day for his life, Bingandadi is also fighting to make a comeback to the game he loves. Having been out for a year, he wants to test his body to see what it can handle.
“I don’t take anything for granted… Whether it’s a training session, a gym session, or a game, I am always eager to get started and enjoy the experience. It’s a privilege to be able to be on the court,” said Bingandadi. “Although I had taken a break for a year, that itch is back, and I want to see how far I can get once I start up again.”
As he takes the courageous step to return to the court, what has he learnt about himself throughout this time of his life? “Resilience. Initially, you don’t think it’s possible. There are thoughts of giving up. I have learnt to take it one day at a time. I realise how sizeable the challenge is and I am determined to push through. And I see how that just spreads throughout the rest of my life as well. It can’t dominate your mind or your actions because there are other things to do,” concluded Bingandadi.
He has found a second wind in his life. His desire, his determination to add more to the pages of his existence, is exemplary for anyone facing adversity. His story is a triumph of the human spirit.
WE know where South African basketball is. But where do we want it to be? A question that everyone in the South African basketball community should be asking themselves. The game in the country is in a derelict state, and it’s been that way for a long time. But what will the next couple of years look like for South African basketball?
We, the basketball fraternity, must pose these paramount questions to ourselves as the national federation, Basketball South Africa (BSA), enters their election season. While such a time should bring great anticipation, past experiences dictate that it would be foolish to expect a seismic shift come the end of the elections on the 31st of this month. Why, you might ask? We have accepted mediocrity in leadership in South African basketball.
But it does not mean we cannot demand better leadership. Leadership that can turn basketball into a code with potential into one that performs at an optimum level. While that is the ideal situation, to have a functional top leadership, there must be a firm foundation holding things up.
Under the leadership of Sanele Mthiyane, basketball has regressed. Pictures: FIBA and The BTO
That ground is the district and provincial associations. For BSA to be in good health, the two entities have to be organisationally sound. So, is that the case? Are districts and provinces organisationally sound?
If district and provincial associations were to go through an audit for delivering basketball to their members, what would the result be?
While it’s all about the hype and action on court, we must take an interest in the politics that govern the game and the individuals elected to lead in districts and provinces.
To those who harbour aspirations of leading basketball structures. Are you part of clubs? Do you know that being part of a constituted basketball club gives you a political voice? Are you familiar with the constitution that governs your club, district, province and basketball nationally?
This is a snippet of how governance should work in South African basketball. While this is a simplistic outline, the onus is on us – this writer included – to have a firm grasp of the deeper workings of South African basketball’s structures.
Having seen how this BSA board has conducted themselves to the point of well-documented embarrassment. The Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has repeatedly given the BSA executive a thumbs down and called for their removal. Others in the upper echelons of sports governance in South Africa share the minister’s sentiments.
Given the deficiencies in leadership at the national level, the districts should work to be a breeding ground for excellence in leadership. It should be a space where future leaders learn the fundamentals of administration and a space where they design and implement programmes. That way, when they stand for election for higher office, they come equipped with knowledge and expertise.
For now, an air of pessimism hovers as we are likely going to see the same faces running the game for the next four years. Should that be the case, we can only cross fingers that they somehow improve to 1.0 on the leadership scale. Surely that is not too much to ask.
While we wait with “baited breath” for the outcome of the BSA elections, we must recognise that being bystanders has come at a high cost and for basketball to be in a good place, the fraternity has to be active about improving the situation on the ground.
IT would be an understatement to say that Victor Fouda’s passing in late December has left a substantial void in the South African basketball scene. A familiar face in various courts, Vic embodied everything good about the game. He was a dedicated mentor, saw the bigger picture, and was a strong pillar within the basketball community, especially in Tshwane.
I did not think the last time I would see him would be a few weeks before I travelled for the AfroBasket in Angola last year. Our final conversation naturally revolved around basketball and the focus on the Cameroon U19 team. Analysing his country’s poor performances at the 2025 U19 World Cup in Switzerland, he pointed out that the wholesale changes made to the playing personnel that qualified for the tournament after making the 2024 U18 AfroBasket final disrupted the team.
One of the comments he made that stuck with me was, ‘You cannot buy chemistry.’ Given his many years of moulding and shaping young men on the court for over 20 years at St Alban’s College and his track record of success at the high school and BNLSA levels, it would have been hard to go against his sentiments.
What I fondly recall about him is that everyone felt his presence on St Alban’s game days. The players on the court, the bench and fans were all treated to his theatrical mannerisms on the sidelines.
Victor Fouda held high praise for Pascal Siakam. Pictures: The Big Tip Off and Supplied
His intensity, passion, and animated but stern demeanour were a thing of legend as he urged his players on and called them out when they failed to execute. There was also the collected Vic, who was ready to talk about the game whenever I ran into him. The passion was the same and showed his eye for talent.
A 2018 conversation comes to mind about his compatriot and NBA star Pascal Siakam, who was already two years into his pro-career. In that discussion, Fouda raved about how great Siakam, who now plays for the Indiana Pacers, was going to be after witnessing his capabilities at the 2012 Basketball Without Borders Camp. He was on the money with his prediction as Siakam, then a Toronto Raptors player, played a significant role in leading the Canadian franchise to their first championship.
While our relationship dates back to when I worked in mainstream media, when I bet on myself by launching The Big Tip Off, he was one of the first people who helped me start the journey by inviting me to do a feature on his first team, which was about to travel to the USA. As St Alban’s prepared for a trip to the United States, he encouraged the young men to make the most of the opportunity.
“What I tell my players is, this type of tour can lead to bigger things, it’s about how you take advantage of it. Going to the USA is a dream for any basketball player so they must make use of this chance because you never know, you could be scouted and play college basketball in the USA,” said Fouda in the 2018 interview.
Much as he was a lifelong hooper, Vic was into football and a long-time Gunners fan. Then you can imagine the amount of anguish he went through each season Arsenal misfired after a promising start to the season.
Once, about ten years ago, while working a night shift, I took a call from Vic during my days in print media after Arsenal had suffered a humiliating 8-2 defeat to Manchester United.
We talked for about 40 minutes about how terrible the team was and how the manager at the time, Arsene Wenger, had long lost his managerial mojo. The conversation could have continued into the night, but a missed deadline is a cardinal sin in print media.
This season is another that has promise, and hopefully our Gunners can do this one for Vic.
Vic touched many lives. South African legend Neo Mothiba, who knew Fouda from the late 90s and would later win championships with him, remembers a devoted father and his passion for the game.
“I first met Victor in 1999, when he was the selector for the U19 Northern Gauteng team that travelled to Durban for the USASSA Championships. He later became my coach and teammate when I returned to Pretoria to play for Pretoria Heat, and he also coached me in the Tshwane Suns, where we went on to win two BNLSA championships,” said Mothiba.
“He played a pivotal role in my basketball journey and development. His love for the game was immense. His passion was felt by everyone who had the privilege of working with him. Beyond basketball, he was a devoted father and a family man whose love for his boys and his family was truly exemplary.
“He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy – as a mentor, teammate, coach, and friend – will live on in our hearts and in the game he loved so much.”
Victor Fouda, far left, built a successful basketball programme at St Alban’s College.
A rival and a brother
University of Pretoria coach Thanda Kweyama, who coached Pretoria High School for Boys in many battles against Fouda’s St Albans, reflected on those duels and the legacy he left.
“Victor was not only a rival on the court, but also a brother who always looked out for his St Alban’s boys. He always wanted them to compete, play with purpose and passion. You could see in his animated reactions when he coached,” said Kweyama. “He was a giver and a mentor, but most importantly, he made basketball fun and appreciated. His parting leaves a big hole in most hearts. For me personally, it’s the battles when I coached Boys High and the derby days.”
Kweyama continued: “I will miss his calmness when he spoke in private, versus the alter ego on the court when he was coaching.”
“Basketball in general has lost a hero and a father to many.”
MALICK Daho is a popular commentator in African basketball, but his connection to the game runs much deeper than being one of the voices of the game on the continent. Back in the day, Daho laced them up, and he graced many courts for club and country, but his journey was one of foresight, too. He understood he could not solely lean on basketball, and he would need something to fall back on – that wisdom paved the way for his present career as a commentator.
In an interview with The Big Tip Off, the Côte d’Ivoire-born Daho, who works as a commentator for France-based Canal+, explained why Africa holds a special place in his heart and shared about his magnificent playing career.
For Daho, giving back to Africa is a non-negotiable commitment, and although he lives and works in France, the continent holds a special place in his heart. The reason Daho is still very attached to Africa is because of basketball, which was a launch pad to his present career.
In his heyday, Daho was a baller for the famed institution ASEC Mimosa, when they still had a basketball team. Daho has also had the honour of playing for the Elephants (Côte d’Ivoire’s national team), and has called the shots from the sidelines as a coach.
So, given his love for the game and the continent, reciprocating was not optional – he explains why it is a must for him.
“I received a lot from African basketball. To be linked to the continent is a way for me to give back. I received a lot as a player and as a coach. So it’s duty to give back because Africa is part of who I am,” said Daho.
Malick Daho is an ever-present face at the BAL. Pictures: The BTO and Supplied
Since transitioning to being behind the microphone as a commentator, Daho has and continues to use his voice to capture the action, thrills and spills of basketball in Africa. He has been a fixture at tournaments like the AfroBasket and the BAL.
Daho says long-serving FIBA Africa secretary general Dr Alphonse Bile, a man who coached him during his playing days, facilitated his lending his voice to African basketball.
“When I started working for Canal Plus in France, I asked myself, ‘What can I do for the continent?’.
I talked with Alphonse Bile, my former coach. He was familiar with my work, and he told me, ‘We are proud of you. Every time I watch you on TV, I am proud,” said Daho. “I asked him, ‘What can I do for Africa’? He asked if I was available for commentary in competitions on the continent, ‘I said Why not!’ That’s when I started working with FIBA Africa and later the BAL.
“It’s been great for me. Being in France, but being able help my continent is a blessing for me. I want to help grow the game and empower it as a journalist.”
Daho says that as a school pupil, he was always fascinated by journalism and all its elements of communication.
“During my school years, I really wanted to be a journalist. I liked to read and write stories. I read a lot, and from what I had read, I thought to myself, ‘I can make a summary of things’,” said Daho.
Before attending university, he began his career as a journalist, but he understood he needed higher education to grasp the finer points of the profession.
“I started my career in Côte d’Ivoire. I already had the writing ability. It was practical, but having the theory too was important. So I attended a journalism school. I was one of the oldest students there,” said Daho with a light laugh. “I improved on my writing, commentary and communication. Later, I got the opportunity from Canal Plus. Before I had reached out to them, but they told me they would get back to me. So they called me to do a test. It was an NBA game, and they wanted to test my knowledge… Can I follow the action, and will people understand the picture I am painting?
“Now it’s my job, it’s my life. I also want to be involved in grassroots basketball, but right now journalism is what puts food on the table.”
Malick Daho had a successful playing career with ASEC Mimosa.
Before his second career as a pundit, Daho managed to carve out a successful playing career with Stade Abidjan, ASCEC Mimosa and the Côte d’Ivoire national team. Listening to him speak on it, one picks up that he was self-assured and believed in his talent, but he was also aware that things could go pear-shaped.
“In my mind, I knew I wanted to be a basketball player, but you also can’t tell the future. You can have an injury, or you might not be as good as you think you are. So I knew I had to have something else. I had to consolidate those areas of my life,” said Daho.
While injury would eventually curtail his career, his playing days were fruitful. He took a bold step early on after a club president at ASEC Abidjan had told him he would have to be content with the youth ranks when Daho felt ready to play at the senior level.
“I remember as a player for the ASEC Mimosa youth team, the president told me I was too young to move up to the seniors, and needed another year. I told him I know what I could do. I may have been young, but I knew my capability,” said Daho. “My age should not determine my quality… I moved to Stade Abidjan… During my two years with them (Stade Abidjan), we beat ASEC twice in the national championship.
“After that season, the president of ASEC came to see me… ‘How can you do that?’. ‘You started with us, now you are beating us… How can you do that?’. We want you to come back (to ASEC).”
Daho returned to ASEC, and his comeback led to domestic titles and a continental triumph in 1989. He describes that era of basketball as less tactical than today.
“We had some very nice players, but the level of tactics was not the same as you have nowadays,” said Daho. “During that time, we had athletic players, good shooters, but in terms of tactics and coaching, it was not at the same level as it is today.
“I enjoyed playing against Senegal. They thought that because of my surname, I was playing against my own country. A lot of people (from Senegal) used to call me Ndao and not Daho. Also, there are a lot of people called Malick in Senegal, so I enjoyed playing against them. It was a very nice time.”
Malick Daho turned to coaching when his playing career came to an end.
The end of his career, while disappointing, is something he had always known would come. “I learnt to deal with it because I am a teacher too. Being a teacher in physical education helped me a lot. It did hurt, but the transition allowed me to start my coaching career. I started coaching the U16 team (of ASEC). So the transition was easy for me,” said Daho.
He also appreciates the relationships he built that continue to benefit him today.
“What I took from this did not only come from the court. I have built a lot of connections and relationships that help me in my job,” said Daho. “As a journalist, you need connections. When I need information, I know I can call this guy from that country to get the relevant information. I can say it’s gold. Human relationships are very important.”
GRIFFIN Kalua will steer his club, Bravehearts Basketball Club, during the Road to BAL, having armed himself with new knowledge. This, after he journeyed to Saly, Senegal, for the BAL Pro Camp last month. The trip to the camp (25-27 September) in the West African country both opened Kalua’s eyes to new strategies and left him asking questions.
While he left with a few more tricks up his sleeve, Kalua, speaking to The Big Tip Off early in the month, could not help but note that the camp benefited one part of Africa and excluded the other. From an Xs and Os perspective, Kalua pointed out that some African coaches and players had come catching up to do.
“There is much we can learn about modern concepts from the NBA and other professional leagues, including how they expect their players to do certain things. It was vital for me to attend the camp,” said the Bravehearts owner and coach. “They (The BAL) want to prepare coaches and players… If they get opportunities (to go overseas), they should not feel out of place because some players have gone to America for trials, and there were concepts that coaches there had looked out for, which those players were not familiar with. Or if African coaches go for (job) interviews, and it is found that they do not know the concepts.
“So they want to bridge that gap between professional basketball and where we are in African basketball. We learnt a lot of concepts that are modern and popular in the NBA and Euroleague. So it was vital for players and coaches to be there.”
Griffin Kalua says Bravehearts are good to go for the Road to BAL. Pictures: The BTO
Kalua, who funded his trip to Senegal, noted that Africa is gradually making progress. However, he emphasised the importance of inclusivity, stressing that the benefits of the program should reach the entire continent.
“The gap is narrowing a little bit. Unfortunately, it’s only narrowing for certain parts of Africa. Not Africa as whole. It’s like there is a bias towards certain parts of Africa. So the gap will be growing among African countries,” said Kalua.
Questioned further why he thought the gaze of organisations like the NBA and the BAL would focus on some countries and not others, he lamented the lack of leadership, particularly in Southern Africa.
“If you look at Zone 6, only Angola and Mozambique are serious about their basketball… The rest of the countries are behind. So it’s understandable why there would be a kind of bias. Why these programs are concentrated in countries like Senegal is that they are serious about basketball,” said Kalua.
With the Southern African leg of the Road to BAL around the corner, he hopes the X’s and O’s concepts he learnt in Senegal will pay off for Bravehearts.
“We have already started to implement some of the concepts. Fortunately, because we travelled a lot and we played different teams, we were already on the right path,” said Kalua. “This (the pro camp) has pushed us closer to where we want to be. So, the implementation was not difficult because we were already aware of some of the concepts.”
“I am confident because we have sorted out the areas of concern. We only have to finalise the clearances of our players. We don’t want a repeat of what happened in Zimbabwe, where we couldn’t field players because of clearances. So we hope to clear everybody as soon as possible,” said Kalua.
Griffin Kalua says his players are up to scratch with new basketball concepts.
While Kalua’s ambition is to qualify Bravehearts for the BAL, he reiterated the message of patience.
“I am not in a hurry. When you look at the level of competition at the BAL or the Elite 16, it’s not easy, it’s hard,” said Kalua. “Our goal is to make the Elite 16. Our experience at the Elite 16 last year helped us make adjustments that we believe are good enough.
“We are not going to buy our way to the BAL. We are going to work and the results will speak. It’s not something that we will be denied for a long time. We will get that opportunity to play at the BAL.”
BOTSILE Ramabu intimated that playing in continental basketball gave him a rude awakening. The Botswana-born baller, a former student-athlete at West Virginia University Potomac State College, admits he initially underestimated the game on the African continent. So, it took something special to convince him African basketball was no child’s play.
“It has been a big transition for me. I was one of the people who came from the US, and maybe I did not respect the game in Africa the way I should have. Tournaments like the Road to BAL and 3X3s around the continent showed me the talent and competition is there. It showed me African basketball should be respected as well,” admitted Ramabu.
Past experiences on the court have humbled the 24-year-old Ramabu. While making the Road to BAL looks to have been the easy part, unfortunately, the attempt to advance beyond the preliminary stages with the Dolphins Basketball Club (2023) and Botswana Defence Force (2024) has proven a tall and frustrating task.
Dolphins’ big man Botsile Ramabu has learnt to fly high in the Road to BAL. Picture: FIBA Africa
For Ramabu and the Dolphins, the disappointments of the past can change in the coming weeks. With the Southern African leg of the Road to BAL qualifiers set to take place, possibly in Zambia (at a date to be determined), the supremely talented Ramabu and the five-time domestic league champions, Dolphins, will return to the Road to BAL competition for a third time.
“From the beginning (of the season), one of our objectives was to win our domestic league and get back to the qualifiers. Losing the title to BDF last year was disappointing, so it felt good to get it back. Going back to play at this stage again with the Dolphins also feels good. It’s great to put the Dolphins on top again,” said Ramabu.
Recalling the journey to once again capturing another title for the Dolphins and winning his first as a professional, the 6ft8 (2.03m) forward highlighted a hurdle early on for the club, which would go on to solidify them as a unit.
“We had some adversity at the beginning of the season. We had a preseason tournament, which the Police (V Basketball) won. From that moment, they (Police) were seen as the favourites to win (the title). So the adversity helped us push through, and we finished the season undefeated. It shows we deserve to be where we are,” said Ramabu, a former St Albans College pupil. “It also felt good to win my first championship. In 2023, I joined Dolphins for the qualifiers, as I was playing for another team prior.”
Ramabu continued: “It feels good to be doing it with a team I want to be on. This is a team I am comfortable with – my brothers. Great coaching staff. Great management. Amazing leadership from my captain and coach. It feels good to win something like this with the right team.”
Having learnt from falling short with the Dolphins and BDF, Ramabu says ensuring the team is fine-tuned and singing from the same page on the court will be crucial to the success of the club (Dolphins).
“It’s something we have spoken about as teammates. Small details can be the difference between winning the game by 10 or losing the game by 10. The good thing about this group is that several of us have played at the Road to BAL before. Having guys who have been there will help us execute the right plays in offence and defence in crucial phases of the game,” said Ramabu. “Those are the small details I am talking about. They can help you win the game.”
Botsile Ramabu hopes to be all smiles at the end of the first round of the Road to BAL.
Knowing where they are and the playing personnel in the team, how far will the Dolphins go in this year’s Road to BAL?
“I see us going to the Elite 16. It’s no knock on the teams that will be there, it’s just the faith I have in my group,” said Ramabu. “We have gone through challenges of a financial nature – fortunately, our coach has helped us focus on the game, while management deals with the financial stuff.
“So I see us taking a step closer. In 2023, when we hosted, we won two out of our three games, and we had hoped to get a wild card, but that did not happen. So this time around, the goal is to take big steps towards making it.”
Both Ramabu and the Dolphins will hope the coming third Road to BAL appearance will also be the charm that leads to the Elite 16. The road to the tournament comes with financial challenges, but with the necessary support, a solution will be within reach. These Dolphins are ready to swim against the tide and make waves on the big stage!
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