MONDAY marked the beginning of Ramadan (10 March – 9 April) for followers of the Islamic faith, and FUS Rabat player Soufiane Benmhine is no different.
Benmhine has played during the holy month in his home country Morocco, but he says the Basketball Africa League (BAL) could be different.
It’s because the league, which tipped off in South Africa last Saturday with the Kalahari Conference, has intense back-to-back matches. During the off day on Monday, Benmhine says he and his FUS teammates do not know what to expect when play resumes on Tuesday.
“It’s a tough period because we are in competition, but the medical staff is doing a great job by making sure we don’t use too much energy during games,” said Benmhine. “This is the first day (Monday) of Ramadan… Fortunately, there were no games today. We only practised. But tomorrow (Tuesday), we will know how it feels.”
FUS Rabat coach Ali Bouzidi and Soufiane Benmhine will hope for a third win when they take on the Cape Town Tigers. Pictures: The BTO
The shooting guard reflected on his process: “It’s not the first time I am playing during Ramadan. I am used to it. The first two to three days are tough because your body is adjusting. What is difficult is playing in such a competition because it’s a high level,” said the 31-year-old.
Tuesday night sees the undefeated Rabat take on the winless Cape Town Tigers, who have a 0-2 record.
Benhmine says they will approach the game against the Tigers with the same humility they did in their opening victory against Angola’s Petro de Luanda.
“As the coach said in the last press conference (after the game against Petro), ‘There is no easy game’. Our approach is to be confident, but that’s not enough, there is a job to be done,” said the Moroccan international, who scored 12 points against Petro in his and Rabat’s BAL debut. “We played against Petro and got the win. We also saw Cape Town play against Petro last night (Sunday), and it was not an easy game.
“They have a lot of talented players. So we are serious. We are preparing well for every game.”
Being well-prepared for elite competition is always the expectation of Morocco’s most successful team. Benhmine, a long-serving player at the club, is proud to be a part of the 18-time Division Execellance champions and helping to contribute to its history.
“I have played for FUS for a long time. I began this journey with them six years ago. Finally, we have achieved one of our objectives. I am proud to be part of the FUS family,” said Benhmine. “The team’s management has done a great job and they continue to improve our conditions. Hopefully, we will continue to win championships.”
A win over the Tigers will put FUS in a position to reach the playoffs, and a good seeding could put them in a position to be a title contender.
THE opening night of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) dished up upsets, with home club Cape Town Tigers and tournament favourites Petro de Luanda, suffering defeats to Dynamo Basketball Club and FUS Rabat respectively.
Game 1: FUS Rabat’s bench steals the show
In their debut game in the BAL’s Kalahari conference, FUS de Rabat defeated Petro de Luanda 82-73, handing them their third straight loss. Soufiane Benmhine, reflecting on the game, credited the team’s success to their awareness of their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
“The key was to respect Petro but not to fear them. Every player respected their role, including those on the bench,” said Benmhine. Jonathan Jordan led the charge for FUS, scoring 17 points, while Aliou Diarra, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, picked up where he left off in Season 3 with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Yanick Moreira efforts were not enough as Petro fell to FUS Rabat. Pictures: The BTO
Petro de Luanda, who is usually a good shooting team, struggled to create the space they needed on the floor to play their game. As a result, only two players put up double digits. “Tonight was not a good game. We got killed on offence and defence. We struggled to play as a team while the other team did,” Petro coach Jose Neto.
In the third quarter, Petro seemed to gain momentum, sparked by some steals by Childe Dundao, which led to back-to-back threes from Carlos Morais. Unfortunately, this was short-lived as the team closed out the quarter at an 11-point deficit.
Despite this defeat, Morais is still confident in his team’s ability to bounce back in their next game against the hosts, The Cape Town Tigers.
“We were very unlucky, but we have only lost one game. Our focus is to qualify for Kigali, and this loss does not change that,” said Morais.
Game 2: Dynamo spoils Tigers’ local debut
In a fully packed arena, Burundi’s Dynamo Basketball Club spoiled the Cape Town Tigers’ home opener with a 86-73 win. The Tigers struggled to share the ball and settled for desperate shots in the first half, going 5/18 beyond the arc and giving up 22 points in the paint. Which them at a 15-point deficit by halftime.
Despite a full-court press effort and some electrifying plays in the third by Samkelo Cele (26 points) and Billy Preson Jr (18 points), which cut the lead down to six, the team lost momentum as they became careless with the ball, leading to them being down 13 points by the end of the third.
Samkelo Cele played a starring role for the Tigers, who came up short against Dynamo.
“We did a good job of penetrating the paint, but that counts for nothing if we cannot convert. We didn’t protect the ball and struggled to play defence for a full 24 seconds,” remarked Cele.
Dynamo’s coach Julien Chaignot credited his players’ readiness for the moment. The French coach also acknowledged the importance of winning the first game, which is a good first step for the rest of the competition.
In the post-game presser, Burundi’s Bryton Hobbs spoke about the hard grind that brought them here, including training outdoors for six weeks, sometimes three times a day in the rain.
“We built chemistry over those six weeks, which has made us a tight-knit team. We are here to win.”
Hobbs’ 17 first-half points gave Dynamo a comfortable lead. However, his finesse and leadership shined bright in the second half as he got some good looks and dished out 7 assists.
ONE thing you cannot accuse Dhieu Deing of is a lack of effort on the court. So, it’s understandable if he thought himself to be an unlucky player since turning pro.
The South Sudanese, whose professional career began on the continent with South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers, says the journey to experiencing his first Basketball Africa League as a player has been a trial by fire.
After a year and a few months, it is finally happening for Deing, who will suit up for Dynamo BBC, a team from the humble climes of Burundi. But looking back on his journey and production, Deing surely deserved to play sooner in the BAL.
His respectable 12.3 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and six assists per game in the 2023 Road To BAL catapulted the Tigers to a second continental appearance. Sadly, Deing would suffer a gut punch as he never ended up featuring with the Tigers for BAL Season 3.
Dhieu Deing has returned to South Africa to represent Dynamo at the BAL. Pictures: The BTO and FIBA
Deing, who will help lead Dynamo’s BAL Kalahari Conference campaign, felt immense disappointment at not turning out for the Tigers last year. But he has grown to appreciate the non-linear journey to the elite club tournament.
“Definitely! At that time (with the Tigers), I was disappointed. I felt like all the work I had put in had gone to waste, but everything happens for a reason. All that has led to me being here today with Dynamo,” said the 22-year-old.
Before joining Dynamo for their Kalahari Conference journey in South Africa, Deing was on the roster of Tanzanian club Pazi for their 2024 Road To BAL campaign.
That journey would end in a dispiriting manner for the point guard when Pazi did not qualify. In a twist of irony, it was Dynamo that pipped Deing’s former club to the second-spot finish in the group play of the Road To BAL’s Elite 16.
Deing explained that in Pazi’s last group game against Dynamo, his final shot attempt with seconds remaining looked a sure bet to go in, but it could only tease at the rim, and bobble out. That seemingly dashed his hopes of appearing at the BAL for another season.
“Man! Honestly, we were supposed to make it… With my shot looking like it was going in, but for it to rim out, it was just God’s plan. I was frustrated. I wondered why. But now I see why,” said Deing.
The dynamic guard did not have to sit for long in his disappointment. A call from Dynamo’s new French coach Julien Chaignot made his BAL dream come true. Deing felt that divinity was also at work for him to journey to the tiny East African nation.
“For anybody signing for a club, you first have to look up the country. When I looked up Burundi, it was the poorest country in the world in 2023,” said Deing. “So, I feel something way bigger than me led me there. Going there was a great choice.
“I was happy (to join Dynamo). I played against these guys twice (in The Road To BAL) and knew the atmosphere their fans brought. Their style of play also impressed me, so when I got the call from the coach, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands.”
Despite the economic challenges faced by Burundi, which basketball also mirrors, Deing is unfazed. He believes the trial has given them impetus to excel at the tournament.
He explained his experience playing on the concrete turf under sometimes trying weather conditions.
“We have been preparing for seven to eight weeks outside on concrete… Practising two to three times a day. It’s been a hard grind, but I feel we need that to do well in this tournament,” said Deing. “We know we are an underdog because no other team practices outside with the sun beaming on them. I think that gives us a lot more fuel.”
Dhieu Deing fell short with Tanzania’s Pazi at the Road To BAL’s Elite 16.
Deing has also been pleased with his French coach and his new teammates.
“The coach is the type that does his homework on the players he has. He puts everybody in the right position and everyone is on the same page defensively,” said Deing. “We have a player like (Israel) Otobo, a great asset with rebounds, defence and scoring. Guibert (Nijimbere) will give us great spark plug minutes when he comes off the bench.
Dynamo must be on point in all facets of the game when they play Cape Town Tigers on the Kalahari Conference’s opening night (Saturday), FUS Rabat and Petro de Luanda in the expanded BAL.
And Deing is itching with excitement to have finally reached the pinnacle in African club basketball.
“I can’t wait to experience the BAL and showcasing our talent. That is what we are looking for… To show the world what we can do,” said Deing.
He will not have to wait long for the moment that seemed elusive. Come Saturday, the stage will be set for Africa to witness Deing show up and show out.
LEBESA Selepe, the co-captain of the Cape Town Tigers, hopes his third season at South Africa’s premier basketball club will be a charm as they prepare for elite competition at home.
At an open media practice held at the Mandeville Sports Complex, a week ahead of Season 4 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), The Big Tip Off caught up with Selepe, who spoke about his journey with the Tigers, representing the South African men’s national team, and the Tigers’ preparation for the BAL’s Kalahari Conference.
The conference begins on Saturday at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, and the Tigers face off against Burundi’s Dynamo Basketball Club (7 pm CAT) in the last game of the opening night.
Lebesa Selepe is excited about the BAL expanding to South Africa. Pictures: The BTO
The Tigers gave the public a glimpse of the team during an open practice. While their preparation has been minimal, something Selepe acknowledges, he feels the little they have could suffice.
“The difference now in our preparation is that previously we had a lot more time, but I think that things are coming together naturally and we are comfortable with what we have,” says 32-year-old Selepe. “We have cut it short but a little preparation is better than no preparation at all.”
The two-time national club champions had one practice match the day after their media day, which was against Jozi Nuggets. Before that, Selepe and six of his Tigers teammates were part of the South African national team that came up short against Mozambique in a two-leg 2025 AfroBasket pre-qualifier in Maputo two weeks ago.
Despite the disappointment, Selepe says the trip to Mozambique helped build the mental toughness required in international play.
“International basketball will either make you or break you. You play in hostile conditions like Mozambique on a back-to-back in front of a jam-packed crowd,” says Selepe. “We went there and we fought, unfortunately, we fell short. We left with our heads held high because we represented our country to the best of our ability.”
Despite narrowly missing out on qualification for the continental championship, it seems the trip to Mozambique had a positive effect on the Tigers players who were part of the national team. It also showed in the way they practised at Mandeville.
The South African Champions showed some promising flashes during their practice run, and with local players like Samkelo Cele and Nkosinathi Sibanyoni taking on more responsibility, it is clear that this team is different from what we have seen before.
In typical Tigers style, the 12-man squad has brought some surprises, including the return of Billy Preston and some fresh faces. The new additions of Ngor Manyang, Storm Gilchrist and Deshawndre Washington have been welcomed into the Tigers’ family, as Selepe describes it.
“Billy Preston, who was one of our leading scorers during his last stint with us, is back. He is an incredibly talented player and we expect him to pick up right where he left off,” says Selepe. “He’s looking as sharp as ever, but with the added benefit of experience and a higher basketball IQ due to his age. I’m happy to have him back.”
Lebesa Selepe is confident the Tigers will do well despite the short time to prepare for the BAL Kalahari Conference. Picture: FIBA
The former Jozi Nuggets player feels he has grown as a player and leader in the team.
“I am a lot more comfortable now, playing basketball at this level as compared to when I first joined the Cape Town Tigers,” says Selepe. “Although I had been playing basketball, at the time, I was still working a 9-5 too, but now my work is basketball. I know where my strengths lie and I am not trying to do too much.”
As Selepe and Tigers welcome Petro de Luanda, FUS Rabat, and Dynamo to the nation’s capital, he feels the arrival of the Kalahari Conference is just what the doctor ordered.
“It was only a matter of time before something this big happened. I am glad it’s happening while I am still able to run up and down the floor,” says Selepe. “For some people, this opportunity came when they had already retired and closed this chapter of their career.”
FOR Cape Verdean/Liberian Antonio DePína, a former professional player turned entrepreneur, basketball transcends mere competition. For him, it has been a vehicle to drive societal change and personal empowerment.
Following the end of his playing days, DePína found a way to maintain a connection to the game. A Forbes 30 under 30, DePína pioneered the Praia League, the Scoutz App, and has recently spread his wings by acquiring the Dolphins Basketball Club of Botswana.
DePína studied at Lincoln University, where he played Division II basketball while pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. He aspired to become a police officer, a career that offered stability and security.
“I didn’t think I would play professionally. I thought I should do the safe thing… Make sure that I get a good salary but that was before Covid,” said DePina.
Following graduation, the pull towards a professional basketball career opened DePína’s eyes. Stints at B.C. Martorell Solvey in Spain and Electrico FC in Portugal exposed him to the business of basketball. It also made him curious about the number of African athletes pursuing a basketball career in Europe.
“While playing in Spain and Portugal I encountered many African players. I asked my teammate Mayot Deng why he didn’t go back home to play. He told me the chances to make a living (through basketball) were few and far.”
Antonio DePina says a visit to Cape Verde gave him a reality check. Pictures: Supplied
Although born and raised in the United States, his parents were born in Africa. Nonetheless, the basketball situation baffled him, as he grew up in a country abounding with opportunity.
However, a first-time visit to his father’s country of birth, Cape Verde, exposed him to certain realities. There was a lack of infrastructure and organized competition. This mind-altering experience made DePína realise there was an opportunity to pursue the business of basketball in Africa.
Equipped with the experience from his playing days, and the ability to think out of the box, he started the Praia League in Cape Verde. The national federation could only provide him with a facility to run the seasonal competition. Everything else would come out of his pocket. Over time the league turned out to be sustainable and now employs 80-100 locals during the island nation’s summertime.
“All I asked for was a gym and I got that, everything else, I provided. Jerseys, lights, staff, I paid for,” says DePína. “I learnt early on that you can’t depend on anybody or wait on anybody because if you wait on let’s say the government to get started, then it will never happen.”
DePína has also spread his business acumen to the world of tech. He started an app called Scoutz (formerly Overseas Basketball Connection), which provides athletes with a platform to connect with basketball teams and access an AI-powered sports agent. It also simplifies the recruitment process for professional athletes who want to build their careers abroad.
“I think it is extremely important to have that representation. A lot of African players have never left their home country and the Scoutz app is available for them to navigate that,” says DePína. “A lot of the people we have on the Scoutz app come from the United States, but there are some African players.”
DePína recognizes the value of the Scoutz app but understands that the African Sports Tech market is still young. Although a need for athlete representation exists in a growing sports economy, it may not be a priority in many countries. The reason being that more critical issues take precedence over paying for an app, unlike their American counterparts.
At 26, he was a part of the Forbes’ 2021 30 Under 30 class. The selection was a justification for pursuing his dreams, and many doors would open for DePína after this.
He expressed his happiness and gratitude: “It is always a dream to get on that list. It validates that you are not crazy. Everyone is a dreamer. While pursuing your dream, sometimes you feel like you are going crazy, and doubt can creep in,” said DePína. “Recognition like this gives you validation, and you realize that maybe you are not crazy. You are onto something.”
His business instincts recently led him to Botswana, where he acquired the successful Dolphins. The four-time Botswana Basketball League Champions narrowly missed out on the 2024 Road To BAL Elite 16 after finishing second in their group when they hosted regional qualifiers last year. With Gaborone being 6934 km (4309 miles) away from Praira, what drew DePína to the Dolphins and Botswana?
DePina credits his experience at the Forbes 30 under 30 summit as the motivation behind this move.
“I was in Botswana and spoke at their event (Forbes 30 under 30). I felt inspired by others as well,” says DePína. “Botswana is a growing country and their president is inspiring. Growing up, he had to pay for his own soccer boots. He also faced numerous obstacles, but he persevered and is now dedicated to helping the youth.”
That experience and a love for an underdog story sparked DePína’s interest in the Dolphins. He is determined to turn the Southern African club into a BAL contender. Although DePína could have acquired a team playing in Season 4 of the BAL, he is firm on the Dolphins.
Antonio DePina has pioneered efforts to develop basketball in Cape Verde.
“Several teams need help, but they (Dolphins) were suitable to me. I want to create value for the team and the youth and the culture in Botswana,” says DePína. “I also wanted to prove to myself that I can do it… That I can bring a team to the BAL. They are the national champs of Botswana, and they have played in the qualifiers, but I believe they can go much further.”
In building the team, DePína plans to learn from the mistakes that he has seen other clubs make by taking a more transparent approach and implementing a proper managerial structure.
“I want to implement proper management of the team, proper management of the funds so that everything is transparent. When that is in place there will be a sense of trust within the organization,” says DePína. “I feel like sometimes things are not done properly. For example, we see many teams trying to get to the BAL. Some have crazy budgets but others struggle with their budgets.”
DePína hopes his approach can spread across the continent. He wishes that it can inform things such as league-wide player salaries and team caps so that everyone can understand how much running a team costs.
The decision to invest in the Dolphins demonstrates a commitment to basketball on the continent, and the importance of making long-term investments in teams and leagues.
FLORSHEIM Ngwenya has been a busy coach. After his recent travails with the national team, he has this week to put the finishing touches to the Cape Town Tigers ahead of a momentous occasion in South African basketball.
The Tigers, last year’s BNL champions, will welcome four teams to the newly minted Kalahari Conference of the young Basketball Africa League (BAL), tipping off at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria (March 9 – 17).
After seeing South Africa, disappointingly lose out to Mozambique in the AfroBasket pre-qualifiers late last month in Maputo, the Tigers coach maintained an upbeat mood as Season 4 of the 12-team BAL is a few sleeps away.
In his usually collected demeanour during interviews, Ngwenya felt confident his team is ready for the inaugural Kalahari Conference.
“I am excited. The (AfroBasket) pre-qualifiers were a jumpstart to the basketball season. Now we are ready to roll with the BAL,” said Ngwenya, who spoke at his team’s media day on Friday at the Mandeville Sports Complex in Johannesburg. “Most of these guys were part of the team in the pre-qualifiers, so we are ready.”
Florsheim Ngwenya says the AfroBasket qualifiers helped jumpstart the Tigers’ season. Pictures: The BTO
Looking back at the short trip to Mozambique, Ngwenya intimated the importance of representing the country. And regardless of the circumstances, the experienced coach says leading the national team is always an honour.
“It felt good. Anytime you represent your country, it’s a privilege. Whether you have a month or two days to prepare, the bottom line is that you are representing the country. Wearing the flag, so you got to take pride in that,” said Ngwenya. It’s been seven years since the country last competed. It was a good outing for the guys. I think it was unfortunate we did not win the whole thing, but it’s a start of good things to come.”
The focus is now on the BAL, and Ngwenya is impressed with how things are taking shape within the team. He also reminded the players that they are doing duty for the country.
“Today (Friday) is for media, but we have put in the hard yards. The players are looking sharp. It’s up to them now to fly the country’s flag higher,” said the former Egoli Magic coach. We will play strong opposition, but we are home. It should count for something.
“With the new format as well… Playing each team twice, you can afford to win one here and lose one there. You can always go back the drawing board and make adjustments for the next game.”
The Tigers have also made some player moves, with Billy Preston returning to the team. Cartier Diarra, who played for the Tigers in last year’s Road To BAL Elite 16, is also back. South Sudan’s Ngor Manyang has also been roped in for the Tigers’ BAL cause.
Ngwenya took a pragmatic tone on the player movement.
“The roster will always change because players get offers from elsewhere or we get better players than what we have. That is the nature of the business,” said Ngwenya. “We are getting the new guys up to speed on how we play. Luckily, we have smart players who pick up things quickly. So it bodes well for us.”
Of the local contingent, one of the additions made to the Tigers roster is centre Storm Gilchrist. The teenage centre, the son of the legendary Craig Gilchrist, debuted for the national team in Mozambique, and he has a chance to experience the BAL.
Ngwenya says Gilchrist’s inclusion to the Tigers will benefit South Africa.
“Him (Gilchrist) being here is great for the country. It’s great for basketball. It tells young players, ‘If you put in the work, you will get the reward’,” said Ngwenya. “He just needs to do what he does best. Make his mistakes and we correct them. It is part of his growth.”
Florsheim Ngwenya says South Africa’s basketball structures need to be organised for the country’s game to move forward.
Ngwenya also spoke on the growth benefits of South Africa getting to host the Kalahari Conference leg of the BAL.
“This speaks volumes about what we can do as a host country. We have hosted the rugby, football, cricket and netball World Cups,” said Ngwenya. “It says to basketball people in South Africa, ‘If we put in the work to make all our structures functional, then good things will happen.
“It’s also great for our fans. They have a chance to see us play at home. Any kid or fan can see us play here than to watch us on TV play away.”
As Ngwenya and the Tigers await Petro de Luanda, FUS Rabat, and Dynamo BBC, they will hope fans come in their numbers to witness a grand milestone in South African basketball.
ARMÉE Patriotique Rwandaise Basketball Club, or APR BBC, is one of the newcomers in Season 4 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The Big Tip Off previews the team ahead of the BAL.
Team: APR BBC
Country: Rwanda
History: APR is Rwanda’s most decorated basketball team, with an impressive record of 14 Rwandan Basketball League (RBL) titles. With three FIBA Africa Champions Club appearances and a podium finish in 2009, APR has earned its place among the best in the country.
Despite a 14-year dry spell from 2009 onwards, APR made a stunning comeback in Game 4 of the RBL finals in September, clinching a remarkable 80-68 win over REG and sweeping the best-of-seven series.
APR secured automatic qualification to Season 4 of the BAL by winning the national championship in their country.
Coach: Mazen Trakh, a Jordanian-American coach, will lead APR in their debut in the BAL. Trakh has vast experience as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, and the Washington Wizards. Additionally, he worked as an advanced scout for the Golden State Warriors.
Mazen Trakh has been preparing APR for the BAL in Qatar. Picture: Supplied
Between 2003 and 2006, Coach Trakh led Fastlink, a Jordanian basketball team, to three consecutive Jordan League Championship titles. In 2006, he topped off his coaching tenure with the team by winning the FIBA Asia Club Championship.
Furthermore, Trakh has coached in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the American Basketball Association (ABA).
In May, he joined APR and successfully led them out of their drought by implementing off-court and on-court changes. These changes ultimately paid off, helping them secure their BAL ticket.
Trakh will be assisted by Bill Bayno, a veteran coach he has worked with at the CBA and during his time with the Detroit Pistons. Bayno brings his vast experience as a coach in the National Basketball Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, CBA, and the Philippine Basketball Association.
Star Player: Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza is one of the stars the army side has in its arsenal. Nshobozwabyosenumukiza was crowned the 2022/23 RBL Playoffs MVP. The point guard averaged 13.2 points per game, 2.1 steals per game and eight rebounds per game.
Nshobozwabyosenumukiza is going to make his third appearance in the BAL. The speedy point guard had played for Patriots BBC in the first season of the BAL. A year later, he joined three-time RBL champions REG and appeared in two BAL seasons. During his second appearance in the BAL, Nshobozwabyosenumukiza averaged an impressive 14.2 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game, and 3.7 defensive rebounds per game. Those remarkable performances earned him a place in the All-Defensive Team.
ASSOCIATION Sportives des Douanes, or simply AS Douanes, head into Season 4 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) as hosts of the Sahara Conference and a household name in BAL.
The Big Tip Off previews the BAL Season 3 finalists.
Team: AS Douanes
Country: Senegal
History: The Senegalese club, founded in 1980, has a rich history. Nicknamed Les Gabelous, the team participates in the Nationale Division 1 (NM1). They are Senegal’s most successful team, having won thirty-six trophies. They have won the NM1 for a record eleven times. Their most successful continental outing was finishing as runners-up in the 2023 BAL season after a tough defeat to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
Route to BAL: Senegal is the host nation of the Sahara Conference, and their clubs only need to win their national championship to gain automatic qualification for the BAL.
Coach: Senegalese coach Pabi Gueye has been at the helm for 11 years. The Senegalese now coaches the team he once played for and helped win several NM1 titles. He saw his team do exceedingly well when he trusted the local talent. It allowed the talents of Jean Jacques Boissy to flourish. The coach had a successful season but ultimately fell short in the finals.
Pabi Gueye will be expected to lead AS Douanes to the BAL title. Pictures: FIBA
Gueye won the Coach of the Year award after the successful campaign. There is no doubt that the former Senegal coach will not only try to repeat this feat but also try to lead his team to the finals and lift the trophy this time around.
Star player: Jean Jacques Boissy is the star player for the Senegalese outfit. He is a local talent who initially came off the bench in the BAL 2023.
Boissy’s performances (13 points per game) convinced Pabi Gueye that he deserved a starting role last year. His performance landed him a contract with Aurore Vitré in France.
Boissy earned the All-BAL First Team and BAL All-Defensive First Team in the 2023 season. He is young and ambitious. He will be looking to lift the trophy and to make himself a household name in African basketball.
AL Ahly Benghazi is one of the teams making their debut in Season 4 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The Big Tip shares some insights on the North African club ahead of the BAL.
Club: Al Ahly Benghazi
Country: Libya
History: The seventy-four-year-oldBenghazi-based club have enjoyed some success in spurts in the Libyan basketball circuit. The Butchers have three Libiyan Basketball League championships to their name, two Libyan Super Cup titles and two Arab Club Basketball Championship trophies to their name.
They are not new to the continental scene, having made three FIBA Africa Clubs Championships Cup appearances and finished eighth in 2013.
Al Ahly has also won back-to-back (2012 and 2013) Arab Club Championships.
Route To BAL: During last year’s Road To BAL Division West, Al Ahly had to beat Cameroon’s FAP 93-84 to qualify for the BAL.
Coach: Benghazi recently signed Serbian coach Ivan Jeremic. The 62-year-old’s coaching career began in the youth teams of Serbian club Crevna Zvezda.
Jeremic has had more success as an assistant coach in Russia, winning EuroCups with Unics Kazan and Lokomotiv Kuban. He won four Russian League titles, two Russian Cup trophies with CSKA Moscow and a VTB League title with the same club.
As coach of Al Nasr in Bahrain, he won a league and cup title.
Point guard Solo Diabate has been an influential figure for Al Ahly. Picture: FIBA Africa
Star Player: Cote D’Ivoire’s Solo Diabate is one of the continent’s finest point guards. A player with three FIBA World Cup appearances and two AfroBasket Silver medals and had a long career in Europe.
Going into the latter stages of his career, Diabate has enjoyed success at the club level.
The point guard has won two Basketball Africa League titles with Zamalek (Egypt) and US Monastir Tunisia. He has also won league and cup titles with US Monastir and Petro de Luanda.
In Benghazi’s Road To BAL campaign, Diabate had an 18.3 efficiency rating. And he averaged 13.5 points per game and 6.8 assists per game.
With the solid veteran experience of Diabate, and quality addition to the team Al Ahli could have a good trajectory in the BAL.
ISRAEL Otobo first encountered the Basketball Africa League (BAL) as a fan. The 19-year-old Nigerian forward remembers watching Season 3 of The BAL for the first time at a restaurant in Nigeria. That moment gave him some food for thought… He imagined himself being part of what is becoming one of the greatest basketball shows in Africa.
“I remember thinking, ‘This league is so huge and I would love to play in it one day’,” said the Nigerian international.
His wish to play in the BAL would come true, albeit outside the confines of his homeland. In a couple of weeks (March 9), Otobo and Burundi’s Dynamo Basketball Club will participate in the expanded BAL’s Kalahari Conference, tipping off at the Sun Bet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.
Israel Otobo has fulfilled a dream by helping Dynamo qualify for the BAL. Pictures: FIBA Africa.
In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Otobo discusses his young professional career, the Road to BAL qualifiers and the team’s preparation for Season 4 of the BAL.
Otobo’s journey with Dynamo began unexpectedly. It followed an unsuccessful season with the local men’s side Nigeria Customs. They lost to the Kwara Falcons in the 2022 Nigerian Premier League finals, resulting in them losing out on a BAL ticket. Although the team’s season ended on a sad note, Otobo credits his senior teammates for helping ease his nerves. They made his first experience in the league a good one.
Following his performance there, he received a call-up to represent Nigeria at the World Cup Qualifiers, where he caught the eye of Dynamo BBC. The Burundian club promptly began negotiations, which proved fruitful, and Otobo would be on his way to East Africa.
Otobo had no prior knowledge of the club and Burundi, but he took the leap of faith and was determined to help Dynamo achieve their domestic and continental ambitions.
“When I first came in, I didn’t know anybody,” recalls Otobo. “I had no reputation, so I had to start from scratch by proving myself, while also trying to figure out how we would win the league.”
Thankfully for Otobo and Dynamo, the leap of faith paid off as they beat former Champions Urunani to claim their first Championship since 2018 and secured themselves a spot in last year’s the Road to BAL qualifiers.
Their Road To BAL Division East journey began in Tanzania, and following a second-place finish in the regional qualifiers, a season-saving wild card sent Dynamo to the Elite 16 in Johannesburg. They eventually secured the last ticket after a close victory over Madagascar’s COSPN in the third-place game. The Hulk-like Otobo averaged 14 points, 13.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, which helped Dynamo’s qualification efforts.
“We made it through the first stage (of the Road to BAL), but things got more challenging in South Africa,” said Otobo. “There were some difficulties, but I had faith in my team and believed we could overcome them. Thank God, we did.”
Otobo credits his team’s success in the tournament to their fighting spirit and level of self-belief. He says, “Although people did not believe in us, we had faith in ourselves and each other. We all understood our roles, stuck to the plan, and supported one another. This kept us going and enabled us to achieve our goal of securing the ticket.”
Reflecting on the last game against COSPN, where he fouled out, Otobo expressed his disappointment at not finishing the game. He felt he could have helped his team in the crucial moments.
“I fouled out doing my job, and I did my best. So did my team, till the very end, and that is how we were able to get the job done.”
The journey to success had its hardships, but Otobo has learned invaluable lessons from his former teammates, Chris Obekpa and Deshaun Morman, which he will carry into Season 4. “The leadership that they brought to the team showed me how to conduct myself as a professional.”
Israel Otobo caught the eye of Dynamo while playing for Nigeria in the 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Dynamo has made big moves in preparation for the BAL. These include acquiring the services of former COSPN head coach, Julian Chaignot, dynamite guard Dhieu Deing and forwards Makhtar Gueye and Ryan Richards.
Otobo says their practices have been challenging as the competition draws closer.
“Training camp has been intense and hard. We have some new guys too, and they are also adjusting,” says Otobo. “Everything is going well. We are getting to know each other more as we build our team spirit and chemistry.”
His focus for the next couple of weeks is preparing for the moment he wished for since watching the BAL in that restaurant in Nigeria.
He and his Dynamo teammates will do battle against Kalahari Conference hosts Cape Town Tigers in the last game of the opening night.
“We have never been to the BAL, so we do not know what to expect. One thing I know is we are going to give everything we have,” says Otobo. “We will not fear any opponent. We going to fight in every single game and give our best.”
The change in scenery has elevated Otobo’s career, and in a few weeks, he will have a chance to show out on the big stage.
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