Author name: Sandisiwe Msibi

Can Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon show out on world stage

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THE FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup are fast approaching, with two African nations preparing to take on the world’s best young talent. Taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye (June 27–July 5), the tournament will allow Africa’s rising stars to test themselves against some of basketball’s most established nations.

The Big Tip Off writer, Sandisiwe Msibi, takes a closer look at each African team heading to the global showpiece, highlighting their qualification journey and the expectations surrounding each contingent ahead of the tournament.

Men’s Tournament: Istanbul, Türkiye

Côte d’Ivoire — Group D

Côte d’Ivoire’s U17 World Cup debut has been one of African basketball’s standout stories. The Elephants captured their maiden FIBA U16 AfroBasket title in Kigali, Rwanda, in September 2025, defeating Cameroon 62–49 in the final to crown a new continental champion.

The achievement marked a dramatic turnaround for a nation that had never progressed beyond the quarter-finals in previous U16 AfroBasket appearances.

The defining moment came in the semi-finals, where Côte d’Ivoire defeated Egypt 75–58, ending the North African’s long-standing dominance and preventing the five-time champions from reaching the final for the second time in tournament history.

Their World Cup debut, however, comes with a stern test. Côte d’Ivoire has been drawn into Group D alongside Venezuela, Australia and Serbia, three nations with deep basketball traditions and significant international experience.

A top finish in the group may be unlikely, but simply competing at this level represents a major step forward for a program experiencing unprecedented growth.

Jean-Phillipe Oka 2026 FIBA
Can Jean-Phillipe Oka replicate his U16 Afrobasket feats at the U17 FIBA World Cup? Pictures: FIBA

Players to watch

Jean-Philippe Oka was the standout figure during the AfroBasket U16 tournament and deservedly walked away with MVP honours. The forward averaged 16.5 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Alongside him, Irené Ouédraogo established himself as one of the tournament’s most dominant interior players. His 20 rebounds in the final highlighted Côte d’Ivoire’s physical identity and their ability to control games inside the paint.

Cameroon — Group B

Few teams arrive at the U17 World Cup with a story as remarkable as Cameroon’s. The Central Africans made their debut at the U16 AfroBasket in 2025 and immediately shocked the continent by advancing to the final.

Along the way, they defeated Mali in the semi-finals before eventually falling to Côte d’Ivoire in the final. Their rise has been rapid. In 2025, Cameroon also made their first appearance at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.

Like Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon are debuting at the U17 World Cup. Cameroon now faces another major challenge in Istanbul after being placed in Group B alongside Canada, Lithuania, and China. These are experienced nations that have competed multiple times.

Nolan Ngangmeni Cameroon 2026 U17 FIBA
Nolan Ngangmeni is the ace in Cameroon’s pack.

Players to watch

Point guard Nolan Ngangmeni emerged as one of the team’s key leaders during the qualifying round, particularly after his outstanding performance against Mali in the semi-finals, where he scored 23 points. He finished second in the tournament for total points scored with 98.

Felix Deumi also played an important role in Cameroon’s backcourt, helping provide pace, control and composure during crucial moments.

While Cameroon’s sudden rise signals the emergence of another potential basketball force on the continent, for these young players and their national programs, Istanbul represent another important step in Africa’s growing presence within global basketball.

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Meet our All BAL team

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THE 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season is now in its final stage, with the semifinals concluded and attention shifting to Sunday’s final and third-place game. The Big Tip Off writer, Sandisiwe Msibi, has compiled a list of standout players who have defined this year’s tournament, highlighting those who have delivered record-breaking performances, historic efficiency, and consistent two-way impact throughout one of the most competitive seasons in BAL history.

Craig Randall II – RSSB Tigers

At the centre of the offensive explosion stands Craig Randall II, whose 2026 campaign has been unlike anything the BAL has seen before. Averaging 36.6 points per game, he leads the league in scoring by a remarkable margin, separating himself from the rest of the field.

Randall leads the BAL in seven statistical categories: points, field goals made and attempted, three-pointers made and attempted, and free throws made and attempted, a rare level of dominance across all scoring areas.

He averages 37.8 minutes per game, the third-highest in the league, carrying one of the heaviest offensive loads in professional basketball. The gap between Randall and the second-leading scorer stands at 14.1 points per game, larger than the gap between second place and fifteenth.

His most defining performance came against Dar City during the Kalahari Conference at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, where he set a BAL single-game scoring record with 54 points. He finished 19-for-34 from the field and 12-for-14 from the free-throw line, overcoming constant double-teams and defensive pressure to deliver one of the most dominant performances in league history.

Jo Lual Acuil Al Ahly Ly 2026
Jo-Lual Acuil has played his best basketball for Al Ahly Ly. Pictures: BAL

Jo Lual Acuil – Al Ahly Libya

The 2024 BAL MVP has built his 2026 season on pure interior dominance. Leading the BAL with a 58.9% field-goal percentage, he operates almost entirely around the basket, finishing efficiently with positioning, strength, and touch.

He averages 10.0 rebounds per game, consistently controlling the glass and generating second-chance opportunities. Defensively, he adds 2.0 blocks per game, anchoring the paint and providing one of the most reliable interior presences in the league.

Donovan Williams – Al Ahly Libya

Donovan Williams averaged 21.6 points per game and is ranked third in the league. It was the shooting splits that separated him from every other volume scorer: 56.8% from the field, 50.0% from three-point range, and 81.5% from the free throw line.

No player in BAL history had come this close to the 50-40-90 club, and Williams achieved these numbers while carrying a significant offensive load for a team that reached the final four.

Zachary Lofton – Al Ahly Egypt

Zachary Lofton arrived in the BAL as a proven scorer, but the 2026 season showed there was far more to his game than putting points on the board. Averaging 18.5 points per game, Lofton established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons while proving that high-volume scoring could still come with efficiency and control.

What elevated his game even further was his playmaking. His 5.3 assists per game revealed a player capable of reading defences and punishing teams that focused too heavily on stopping his scoring.

His standout performance of the season came on May 5, when he exploded for 32 points and knocked down 8 three-pointers in Al Ahly Egypt’s 85-65 victory over JCA Kings, a win that secured the team’s playoff spot.

Lofton’s 32 points were the highest individual scoring performance in the Sahara Conference that season, surpassing Jonathan Cisse’s 30-point outing

Zachary Lofton Al Ahly BAL 2026
Zachary Lofton brought his A-game for Al Ahly.

Mangok Mathiang – RSSB Tigers

Mangok Mathiang is the type of two-way player championship teams rely on. Averaging a double-double of 16 points per game and 14.5 rebounds per game, he is impacting games through effort, positioning, and physical presence.

While his defensive influence does not always appear fully in the box score, opponents constantly felt it around the rim. He alters shots, protects the paint, and helps control possessions on defence. Offensively, his 52.8% field goal percentage shows his ability to convert opportunities created through hustle and smart positioning

Sixth  Man: Chile Dundão – Petro de Luanda

If the All-Star team needs someone to steady the game when the starters rest, Childe Dundão is the ideal choice. His 6.0 assists per game kept the offence flowing smoothly, consistently finding open shooters and cutters with smart, well-timed passes.

What truly separates Dundão as a sixth man is his efficiency. He shot a BAL-best 88.0% from the free throw line and 44.1% from the field, making the most of every possession without forcing the action. His 2.1 steals per game also brought valuable defensive energy, disrupting opponents and creating transition opportunities before defences could recover.

Whether it was setting up a teammate or stripping a ball handler at half court, Dundão provided exactly what every championship-calibre bench needs: composure, efficiency, and energy in crucial moments.

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The BAL semifinals stage is set

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THE  upcoming BAL semifinals have familiar clubs and a new one debuting with a bang. Al Ahly of Egypt and Petro de Luanda are former champions, while Libya’s Al Ahly have been down this road, while Rwanda’s RSSB have had a memorable debut.

The Big Tip Off previews the match-ups taking place on Wednesday and Thursday at Kigali’s BK Arena.

Last season’s finalists, Petro de Luanda and the high-scoring Al Ahly Libya, renew their growing rivalry in a rematch of the 2024 BAL Final. While Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers take on former champions Al Ahly Egypt for a place in the title game.

With a place in the championship game and a ticket to the FIBA Intercontinental Cup on the line, the next two nights at BK Arena will be decided by more than talent alone. Experience, composure, and the ability to handle pressure when the margins get thin will shape which two teams move one step closer to continental glory.

Petro de Luanda vs Al Ahly Libya

This semifinal is a rematch of the 2024 BAL Final, the night Petro de Luanda lifted their first BAL crown at the expense of the Libyan upstarts. Two years later, the Angolan dynasty meets a reinvented Al Ahly Ly side that has transformed from runners-up into the most explosive offensive force in the competition.

The Angolan champions are the only team to have reached the BAL semifinals in all six seasons of the league’s existence. In the quarterfinals, they faced Tanzania’s Dar City, where they suffered an 88-80 defeat in the first leg. In the second leg, however, they responded like seasoned champions, producing a commanding 83-69 victory to overturn the aggregate score and book a sixth straight semifinal appearance.

The Libyan side enters the semifinal as the highest-scoring team in BAL 2026, averaging more than 100 points per game during the conference phase. The Libyans won their two-legged quarterfinal series against Club Africain 88-87 and 98-80.

Al Ahly vs Petro de Luanda BAL Semi-Final 2026
Petro de Luanda got the better of Al Ahly in the 2024 final and recent Conference stage in Pretoria. Pictures: BAL and The BTO

One of the biggest X-factors in this semifinal could be the contrast in depth and player workload. Petro’s bench completely dominated Dar City in the quarterfinals, outscoring them 51-16 in the first game and 34-5 in the second, highlighting the Angolans’ ability to maintain intensity through constant rotation.

In contrast, Al Ahly Ly relied heavily on their starters during their series against Club Africain, with each starter averaging around 34 minutes per game. While the Libyan side possesses the most explosive offence in BAL 2026, their heavy reliance on the starting unit could become a factor late in the game if Petro succeeds in slowing the tempo and turning the semifinal into a physical battle of endurance.

RSSB Tigers vs Al Ahly (Cairo)

RSSB Tigers survived a quarterfinal battle against Morocco’s FUS Rabat to secure their place in the semifinals. The Rwandan side laid the foundation for qualification with a dominant 95-72 victory in the opening game, giving themselves a comfortable cushion heading into the second game. However, in the second game, the Tigers were pushed to the limit, narrowly falling 99-98 in a tense encounter.

Despite the defeat, the one-point margin was not enough for FUS Rabat to overturn the heavy first-game deficit, allowing the Tigers to advance on aggregate and continue their remarkable BAL campaign.

Nuni Omot Al Ahly (Cairo) 2026
Nuni Omot, the BAL 2024 BAL MVP, is back with Al Ahly for the playoffs.

Al Ahly Egypt delivered a classic quarter-final comeback to secure their place in the BAL 2026 semi-finals. After falling 93-90 to Senegal’s ASC Ville de Dakar in the first game, they returned in game two with a commanding 87-76 victory to overturn the aggregate score and continue their pursuit of a second BAL title.

The Egyptian champions will need to contain Craig Randall II’s offensive production, as the Tigers look noticeably different without him. In their only loss against Nairobi City Thunder, Randall did not play. The American guard is currently averaging 37.7 points per game and played 40 minutes in the second game of the quarterfinals.

The rebounding presence of Mangok Mathiang and Oumar Ballo is another factor the Egyptians will need to manage.

It will be interesting to see whether Al Ahly Egypt will shoot from the outside, as they attempted only 8 three-pointers in the second game, making only 3. The inside defensive presence of Mathiang and Ballo in the paint might force them to.

Another area where the Tigers get points is off turnovers; they stole the ball 10 times in the second game of the quarterfinals series and scored 27 points off those turnovers. So the Egyptians will have to take care of the basketball.

Rebounding is another area the Egyptians should take advantage of because the Tigers shoot a lot from outside. However, they shot only 31% and 32% from beyond the arc in games one and two of the quarterfinals, respectively. So the Egyptians can capitalise on their misses.

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BAL Playoffs: Al Ahly Egypt vs ASC Ville de Dakar

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THE Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 6 playoffs tip off on Friday with a former champion, Al Ahly of Egypt, looking to return to the throne. Ahly’s opponents, Senegal’s ASC Ville de Dakar, in their second BAL season, made it past the regular season for the first time and are looking to make strides in the playoffs. 

For the first time, the quarterfinals will be decided by two games. Al Ahly, the 2023 champions, return to the same BK Arena where they once lifted the trophy. 

When these two met in the Sahara Conference, the game was very tough. A back-and-forth fight that stayed close right to the end. Al Ahly escaped with a 76-72 win, but Dakar proved they can hang with the conference’s best. Now they meet again, this time with everything on the line across two games instead of one.

New Playoff format

The quarter-finals are played as a two-game series. Both teams will play each other twice, and the one with the higher total score across both games moves on to the semifinals. If the aggregate score is tied, overtime will be played to determine the winner. 

Now coaches have to think differently: do you push hard in Game 1 or save energy for Game 2? Do you risk foul trouble early, knowing there’s another game coming? Every point matters, even in a loss.

The four quarter-final winners then move on to single-elimination semi-finals, with the two winners there meeting in the championship game and the two semi-final losers playing for third place.

Ater Majok Ville de Dakar BAL 2026
Ater Majok brings energy to both ends of the floor. Pictures: The BAL

Al Ahly Egypt

Al Ahly finished second in the Sahara Conference with four wins and one loss, posting a +38 point differential – the best in the Sahara Conference.

Their only defeat was a one-point heartbreaker to Club Africain, 68-69, in a game that came down to the final seconds. But they showed their resilience, and a day later, Al Ahly bounced back to beat this same Dakar. That win proved the Egyptians could handle adversity and find ways to close out games.

ASC Ville de Dakar

For ASC Ville de Dakar, the Senegalese champions arrive as the seventh-seeded team with a 3-2 record and a +16 point differential, stepping into uncharted territory with their first-ever playoff appearance and an opportunity to become only the second Senegalese team to reach the BAL semi-finals.

Their path to Kigali was anything but smooth. Two straight losses to Club Africain and Ahly put the pressure on, and Dakar responded by winning their final three games to earn their place in the playoffs.

They’re the third Senegalese team in BAL history. Back home, they’re back-to-back Senegal champions (2024 and 2025).

Why Al Ahly Could Win

Al Ahly could win this series. They have the psychological edge following the win over ASC during conference play, and they have the best shooters in the field. Zachary Lofton and Kevin Murphy can both go off on any night. Lofton dropped 32 against FUS Rabat, and Murphy averages 20.7 points on elite efficiency. If both of them shoot well from three across two games, this could end fast. The two-game format rewards the deeper, more explosive team, and that’s Al Ahly.

Zach Lofton Al Ahly BAL 2026
Zach Lofton put up some good numbers at the Sahara Conference.

Why Dakar Could Pull the Upset

But don’t count Dakar out. They have three players who have won at the highest level. Solo Diabate has two BAL championships (2021 and 2022) under his belt, Ater Majok won the title and was the defensive player of the year in 2022, and Alex Toupane has an NBA championship. They already proved in Rabat that they can hang with Al Ahly for 40 minutes, even leading and tying the game in the fourth quarter.

X-Factors to Watch

Several elements could swing this series. Foul trouble for Majok or Diabate would negatively affect Dakar’s chances to drop immediately; they cannot afford to play significant minutes without their defensive anchor or floor general.

Three-point variance is critical. As Dakar shooting 35% or better from deep makes them competitive, while shooting below 25% puts them in serious trouble, given their inconsistent 5-for-21 performance against Club Africain.

The signing of Cape Verdean point guard Williams Tavares by AS and the 2023 BAL MVP Nuni Omot rejoining Al Ahly will raise the competitive bar for both teams.

Bench contributions matter significantly in a two-game format, and whichever team’s reserves can provide more points across two games will gain a major advantage.

Finally, the coaching battle between Gavriel and Gaye will test who can make the better in-series adjustments between Game One and Game Two.

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A look back at the Sahara Conference

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THE BAL Sahara Conference in Morocco saw the final four teams, Club Africain, Al Ahly, AS Ville de Dakar and Conference hosts secure their playoff spots for Kigali, Rwanda, from 22-31 May. The Big Tip Off writer Sandisiwe Msibi shares her insights on the concluded Conference.

What unfolded was one of the most competitive and unpredictable conference campaigns in BAL history, defined by overtime thrillers, record-breaking performances, injury setbacks and a dramatic final-day playoff race.

Six teams from across North and West Africa battled for four coveted playoff spots.

Final Standings

The Sahara Conference produced a fascinating final table, with the fourth playoff spot decided on the final day.

Club Africain secured the top spot with a 4-1 record, becoming the first team from the conference to punch their playoff ticket on April 29. The Tunisian debutants exceeded all expectations, while hosts FUS Rabat and former champions Al Ahly rounded out the top three. The last playoff spot was secured by Senegal’s champion, ASC Ville de Dakar.

Ehab Amin Al Ahly BAL 2026
Ehab Amin and Al Ahly showed the pedigree that saw them win the 2023 BAL title. Pictures: Getty and BAL

Records & Notable Numbers

There can’t be a mention of this conference without mentioning close games, and they were delivered in abundance. The final standings were ultimately determined by which teams could execute under pressure and which crumbled when it mattered most.

The four playoff-bound teams, Club Africain, Al Ahly, FUS Rabat, and ASC Ville de Dakar, combined for a 12-5 record in games decided by 10 points or fewer. While the bottom two, Maktown Flyers and JCA Kings, went just 1-8, their inability to close out tight contests proved the difference between postseason basketball and an early exit.

Most Team Rebounds in a Game

The JCA Kings made history even in defeat. In their 79–74 overtime loss to Club Africain, the Ivorian champions grabbed 65 rebounds, tying the BAL record previously set by the Rivers Hoopers in May 2025. What made it even more remarkable: the Kings had already pulled down 60 rebounds by the end of regulation. Four players, Chris Crawford, Babatunde William, Chris Echui and Cheikh Diong, finished with 10 or more rebounds each. Their 23 offensive rebounds were among the highest in league history

A New Addition to the Winless Club

The JCA Kings finished 0–5, joining an unfortunate list of BAL teams that have gone winless in conference play: AS Police from Mali in 2021, GSP from Algeria in 2021, GNBC from Madagascar in 2021, Kwara Falcons from Nigeria in 2023, Stade Malien from Mali in 2025, and the Johannesburg Giants from South Africa in 2026.

A League First: 500 Career Points

Two players crossed the 500-point threshold in BAL history: Abdoulaye Harouna of FUS de Rabat became the first to do so during the 2026 Sahara Conference. Entering with 490 career points and surpassing the milestone in his second game to finish with 532 points across 31 BAL games, Chris Crawford of JCA Kings joined him as the second member of the exclusive club, having already reached 500 points before the 2026 season.

Solo Diabate AS Ville de Dakar BAL Sahara Conference 2026
Solo Diabate will make his sixth BAL playoff appearance in the colours of AS Ville de Dakar.

Club Africain (4-1)

The biggest story of the Sahara Conference has been Club Africain’s stunning performance. The Tunisian champions, making their first-ever BAL appearance, have been nothing short of sensational.

Led by the incomparable Omar Abada and bolstered by the inside presence of Drew Cisse and Mohamed Hadidane, they combined disciplined defence with clutch offence. Their only stumble came against FUS Rabat in the final game, but by then they had already secured the conference’s top seed.

Al Ahly Egypt (4-1)

The only former BAL champion in the conference, Al Ahly, lived up to their pedigree. Despite an opening-night stumble against Club Africain (68–69), Al Ahly responded with four straight wins to claim the conference’s second seed.

Their roster depth proved decisive, with Kevin Murphy leading the team at 20.7 PPG and Zach Lofton dropping a conference record 32 points in one game. The double-OT win over FUS Rabat, 77–71, demonstrated their mental toughness. They enter the Kigali playoffs as the team to beat. That double-overtime thriller was Al Ahly’s intense game against FUS de Rabat. The Egyptian champions pulled out a 77–71 victory after two extra periods.

FUS Rabat (3-2)

The hosts endured a rollercoaster ride at the Sahara Conference. After starting 2-0, they suffered a stunning one-point loss to ASC Ville de Dakar and lost three key players, Abdelhakim Zouita, Ilias Aqboub, and Abdoulaye Harouna to injury. Yet they showed their championship pedigree by bouncing back to defeat unbeaten Club Africain in front of a packed home crowd. With Kuany Kuany, Mouhamadou Diagne, and Anthony Pritchard stepping up, FUS Rabat proved their depth and resilience. Their third consecutive BAL appearance has seen them evolve from quarterfinalists to genuine title contenders.

ASC Ville de Dakar (3-2)

Ville de Dakar authored one of the great turnaround stories of the conference. After early losses to Club Africain and Al Ahly, they won three consecutive games, including the clutch 79–62 victory over Maktown Flyers in the winner-take-all finale to snatch the last playoff spot. After missing the playoffs last season, this qualification felt like redemption.

FUS Rabat players BAL 2026
Ayoub Nouhi and Anthony Pritchard ensured FUS Rabat will compete in their third playoffs.

Maktown Flyers (1-4)

So close, yet so far. The Nigerian champions showed flashes of their potential. Their only win came against the winless JCA Kings, 88–67. A lack of bench depth and empty scoring runs, particularly in fourth quarters, proved fatal.

Al-Wajid Aminu was their standout performer, but it wasn’t enough. They became only the second Nigerian team to miss the BAL playoffs, following the Kwara Falcons in 2023.

JCA Kings (0-5)

The JCA Kings’ first BAL campaign will be remembered as a learning experience rather than a competitive one. The Ivorian side failed to secure a single victory across the conference, joining the Johannesburg Giants as the two winless teams this season.

While the results were disappointing, the exposure to continental competition should serve as valuable development for a club still building their programme. Competing against established powers like Al Ahly and FUS Rabat provided a measuring stick for where Ivorian club basketball stands.

The Sahara Conference has set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying BAL Playoffs in Kigali, Rwanda, from May 22 to 31. With Club Africain, FUS Rabat, Al Ahly, and ASC Ville de Dakar joining Kalahari Conference qualifiers RSSB Tigers, Petro de Luanda, Al Ahly Ly, and Dar City, the race for the 2026 BAL championship is wide open.

A look back at the Sahara Conference Read More »

BAL Sahara Conference hits miday point

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THE Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara Conference has reached its halfway mark at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco, and the race to Kigali is beginning to take real shape.

With nine games in the books and six remaining, the race to Kigali is separating the contenders from the rest, getting closer for some and slipping away for others. So far, only the Tunisian champions, Club Africain, have officially secured their place in the post-season.

Current Standings

Club Africain sits comfortably at the top of the standings at 3–0, their perfect start enough to clinch the first ticket to Kigali. Behind them, the host club FUS Rabat and Al Ahly are tied at 2–1, holding the head-to-head edge for now.

The middle of the table is where the tension truly lies. ASC Ville de Dakar and Maktown Flyers are both 1–2, with ASC currently occupying the fourth playoff spot thanks to a dramatic one-point victory over FUS Rabat.

At the bottom, JCA Kings remain winless at 0–3, their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. With only three game days remaining and three spots still up for grabs, every possession from here carries playoff implications.

Nail-Biters and Down-to-the-Wire Drama

The Sahara Conference has delivered tense action from the opening tip. Club Africain’s 85–79 win over ASC Ville de Dakar set the tone, a six-point thriller decided in the closing minutes. Maktown Flyers followed with a gritty 76–68 win over JCA Kings, refusing to let their campaign spiral early.

Osayi Osifo of Al Ahly BAL 2026
Osayi Osifo has helped Egypt’s Al Ahly get into a good position for the playoffs. Pictures: NBA and Getty

One of the biggest shocks came when Club Africain edged Al Ahly 69–68, announcing themselves as legitimate contenders. Tuesday night raised the stakes even further, as Club Africain survived a gruelling 79–74 overtime battle against JCA Kings. This win clinched their ticket to Kigali.

Perhaps the most dramatic moment came when ASC Ville de Dakar stunned FUS Rabat 67–66, sealed by a clutch three-pointer from Samba Fall with just four seconds remaining. This shot reshaped the playoff picture instantly.

Scoring output

While the Kalahari Conference featured more explosive offensive outputs, with Petro de Luanda breaking the 100-point barrier three times and several games landing in the 90s. The Sahara Conference has been more tightly contested, with winning scores typically in the 60s to 80s range and fewer blowouts. So far, only one game has reached the 90s: FUS Rabat’s 97–72 demolition of Maktown Flyers.

This suggests that while the Kalahari has produced higher-scoring games overall, the Sahara’s tighter margins may better prepare teams for the pressure awaiting in Kigali.

The debutantes divide

Club Africain has been the revelation of the conference. They stunned the Egyptian champions Al Ahly 69-68 in their opener. They followed with an 85-79 win over ASC Ville de Dakar. Then they survived a gruelling 79-74 overtime battle against JCA Kings on Tuesday night, which secured the first playoff spot for them.

Maktown Flyers authored another compelling narrative. The Nigerian club refused to stay down. After a 25-point defeat to FUS Rabat in their opener, the Nigerian side regrouped and made history, defeating JCA Kings 76-68. However, they came up short against Al Ahly, losing 89-80 in their third game.

Samba Fall ASC Ville de Dakar Sahara Conference
Samba Daly Fall’s clutch three gave ASC Ville de Dakar their first win of the Sahara Conference.

For JCA Kings, however, the learning curve has been steep. Still searching for their first win, they face a daunting schedule ahead against Al Ahly and ASC Ville de Dakar. These are two sides on the brink of qualification. Their 55-point performance against FUS Rabat remains the lowest-scoring output of the 2026 BAL season, underscoring their offensive struggles.

The Road to Kigali

With the Sahara conference set to conclude on Sunday, the stakes could not be higher. Four teams will advance to Kigali, joining the Kalahari Conference qualifiers: RSSB Tigers, Petro de Luanda, Al Ahly Ly, and Dar City.

Club Africain have already punched their ticket. The remaining three spots are still up for grabs. FUS Rabat and Al Ahly are each just one win away from securing qualification. Behind them, ASC Ville de Dakar and Maktown Flyers remain within striking distance, ready to capitalise on any slip.

 

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Can Al Ahly be impactful in return to BAL?

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AFTER a year’s absence, Egyptian giants Al Ahly are back on African club basketball’s biggest stage – the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and they will aim to be as impactful as they were in their championship season two years ago.

On Saturday, Al Ahly of Egypt, the 2023 BAL champions, will make their highly anticipated return to the competition. With their third appearance, they rank first for the most trips to the BAL by an Egyptian club.

Alongside Petro de Luanda, they are one of only two clubs this season to have previously won a BAL championship.

A Legacy Born in 1930

The club was founded in 1930 and is one of the oldest basketball clubs in Africa. This is a club that has seen nearly a century of Egyptian and African basketball history unfold.

The 2023 BAL title was the club’s second African title after their triumph in the 2016 FIBA Africa Champions Cup in Cairo. In that 2016 victory, they became the first Egyptian team to win the competition in two decades.

Ehab Amin and Omar Oraby April 2026
Ehab Amin and Omar Oraby were part of the 2023 Al Ahly team that won the BAL. Pictures: BAL
The Return

Al Ahly’s last appearance in the BAL was in 2024, where they reached the playoffs but fell short of defending their 2023 title. They entered the postseason as the No. 1 seed. After winning the Nile Conference with a 5-1 record, including a dominant 94-71 closing win over Bangui Sporting Club. But their campaign ended unexpectedly in the quarterfinals with an 86-77 defeat to Libya’s Al Ahly Ly at BK Arena in Kigali. 

Domestically, the 2023-24 season was equally frustrating. The Reds lost both the Premier League and the Egyptian Cup final to rivals Al Ittihad Alexandria.

The 2025 season saw them miss out on BAL qualification entirely, a rare stumble for a club accustomed to dominating Egyptian and African basketball. 

Al Ahly secured their return by winning the 2024-25 Egyptian Basketball Super League, capturing their eighth national title with a hard-fought 3-2 finals series win over rivals Al Ittihad Alexandria.

The Roster

The roster has significant new faces. Jonathan Jordan, a former FUS Rabat guard, arrives to run the show. The naturalised Democratic Republic of Congo point guard is no stranger to the BAL. He played for FUS Rabat in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, averaging 14.4 points, 4.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game across 14 BAL appearances while shooting efficiently from the field.

Another notable new face is that of Osayi Osifo, who last played for the Austin Spurs in the G League. The 6’9″ forward has no prior BAL experience. However, his G League resume includes averages of 5.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the 2025-26 season with the Spurs.

Egyptian national team big man Ahmed Khalaf also crosses over from rivals Al-Ittihad Alexandria, adding size and interior presence.

Head coach Linos Gavriel signed a two-year deal with Al Ahly in July 2025, replacing Agustín Julbe. The seasoned coach made his mark on African basketball in the 2010s by coaching Tunisian side Etoile Sportive de Rades to second place in the 2014 FIBA Africa Champions Cup, and the previous year led Etoile Sportive du Sahel to the same position.

He also led Bahraini side Manama Club to the 2023 FIBA West Asia Super League title. In his first full campaign with Al Ahly, he delivered a domestic championship, guiding the club to their eighth Super League title. Assistant coach Ahmed El Beltagy remains from the 2023 BAL championship staff, providing continuity between the old regime and the new.

Jonathan Jordan Al Ahly media day
New signing Jonatnan Jordan will bring energy to the point guard position for Al Ahly.

The Sahara Conference

Al Ahly will open their campaign today against Club Africain, before facing ASC Ville de Dakar, Maktown Flyers, JCA Kings, and finally FUS Rabat in the Moroccan capital. The final game against hosts FUS Rabat is already being billed as a must-watch. When the two sides last faced off during the 2024 season, FUS Rabat emerged victorious with an 89-78 win at BK Arena in Kigali.

This game will see Jonathan Jordan facing his former team, bringing insider knowledge of FUS Rabat’s system and tendencies. Jordan spent two seasons with the Moroccan club, leading them to back-to-back quarterfinal appearances. He knows every set, every defensive rotation, and exactly how they operate in the clutch. That intelligence could prove invaluable in a tournament where margins are razor-thin.

Can They Win the BAL Title?

The 2023 champions bring back the DNA of a title team. Ehab Amin’s offensive command, Seif Samir’s rim protection, and the defensive identity that defined their success.  But the 2024 quarterfinal exit proved that pedigree alone guarantees nothing.

What makes this roster compelling is the blend of BAL experience and fresh firepower.

Coach Gavriel, who delivered an unbeaten domestic campaign, now faces his ultimate test on the continental stage, where one bad game can end a season. The pieces fit. The hunger is there. Whether that translates to a second crown depends on whether this blended roster of veterans and newcomers can develop chemistry fast enough in the eight-day tournament.

In a conference where every team earned their place through blood and sweat, there are no soft matchups. History says never count Al Ahly out. The 2026 BAL will reveal if history repeats.

Can Al Ahly be impactful in return to BAL? Read More »

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