African Basketball - The Big Tip Off

Gannouni, LeFriki setting a higher bar in the coming season

CLUB Africain, in late May, flipped the script in Tunisia’s Championnat Pro A championship, winning a fifth title in the Tunis-based club’s history. What made capturing the title sweeter for LeFriki was that it ended rival and finals opponents US Monastir’s six-year hegemony of the Pro A and earned them the prize of debuting at the BAL next year.

There was another element to the tale of Club Africain’s monumental success. Winning the league brought to an end the eight-year league title drought for one of Tunisia’s heralded clubs and its passionate fans. What made the journey of securing the trophy memorable for Club Africain was winning the five-game series, 3-1, in front of their supporters at their home arena, the Cherif Bellamine Gymnasium.

Twenty-eight-year-old small forward Achref Gannouni, a former Monastir player, says the fans provided the spark that lit the path to a decisive Game 4 victory.

“It’s always spectacular to play in front of the home fans. They have been with us from the start of the season right till the end,” said the four-time Pro A champion. “Winning in front of them was very special. The atmosphere they created was phenomenal, so the title is for them. As I said, from the beginning of the season they believed in us. We felt it, especially when we played at home. “

Gannouni Club Africain — **Achref Gannouni and Michael Dixon celebrate winning the Tunisia Pro A title. Pictures: Club Africain.**

Having ended the club’s long wait for the national championship, Gannouni felt ecstatic. “It feels amazing to win titles. I am happy for the club and the fans. What made it more special was that the club had waited for a long time to win. The joy is multiplied!” stated the Tunisian international.

On their way to the title, Club Africain won Game 1 of the series at Monastir’s Mzali Sports Hall. The forward says that the first-game victory against the nine-time league champs was the cushion LeFriki needed ahead of the remaining games.

“It was the key to the title for us. We knew if we won one game out of the two at Monastir’s home court, we would have a great chance of winning the series at our arena, and we were able to acheive that,” said Gannouni.

He also reflected on breaking the dominance of Monastir. For Gannouni, the victory had to do with more than who the opposition was; it was about feeding his and the team’s desire. “As an athlete, I always play to win. Achieving that goal every year is satisfying. It also makes me hungry. And it doesn’t matter which team we face,” he said.

Gannouni looks forward to the prospect of returning to play at the BAL after first experiencing it with Monastir two years ago.

“It meant a lot to us because it’s been part of our goal. We are looking forward to competing in it next year. Our journey doesn’t end at the qualification stage. We will be aiming for more,” proclaimed Gannouni.

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It may look like the season was smooth sailing for Gannouni and his teammates, but it was far from it. Players battling injury and the disappointment of losing the Tunisia Cup final to Monastir a week after clinching the league were part of the challenges to an otherwise celebratory season.

“Dealing with injuries was tough for us. Several players struggled with injuries, including me. It did affect the team’s chemistry because you are not playing as often as you would like. Luckily we have a good medical team. They got us ready for an important part of the season,” said Gannouni.

He also spoke about his own experience with injury during the season. “It was a bit tough. I had injuries that kept me out for two months. When I came back, I was stronger and helped my team to have a successful season. I was able to give everything for the team,” said Gannouni.

Part of the reason for Club Africain’s success was the togetherness, and Gannouni says this is the glue that should hold the team together in the coming season.

“Club Africain, this season was a family. We were all eager to win trophies together this year and bring joy to our fans. For the next season, we need to work hard and continue improving day after day to stay at the top,” said the former Rades player.

After the exertions of the past season, he’s now returned to social media. He felt he needed to focus a bit more to help the team be triumphant, and it has paid off.

“Going off social media is always a good thing to do. It helps to clear the mind and block out negativity. I knew that we were strong contenders to win trophies this year, so I needed to focus on the playoffs and the finals,” said Gannouni.

Next season will present a new canvas for Gannouni and Club Africain to write a new script. Having reached a milestone this year, they will prepare to exceed what they have already achieved.

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Angolan legend Muzadi shooting his shots behind the camera lens

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WHEN former Angolan hooper Victor Muzadi speaks about his playing career, intensity and passion fill his eyes. The same intensity and passion appear on his face when he discusses his post-playing profession. Having enjoyed an illustrious professional career, Muzadi’s dunks, layups and blocks caught the eye of many cameras on the continent and the global stage.

Banking on the content game

In a twist of fate, Muzadi, who first worked at a bank after hanging up his sneakers, later found his true calling – getting behind the camera. He has since captured many domestic and international sporting, lifestyle, and corporate events through his content company, Push LDA, based in Angola.

Muzadi was recently at the BAL playoffs and finals in South Africa’s capital, Tshwane, as part of the multitude of content creators covering the continental shindig. Speaking to The Big Tip Off, his voice hoarse after feeling the effects of the South African winter, Muzadi was able to find the words to express his delight at the new and improved continental tournament and how he wished it existed during his playing days.

“I wish this kind of platform was there in our era. It would have been great. People would know how we played, so I am happy that these young players have it now and that they are part of this story of African basketball,” said Muzadi, a two-time FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup winner. “It’s really cool to be involved as well and to be part of the emotion and vibe here.”

Victor Muzadi Angola Content — **Victor Muzadi says he has been impressed with the five-year-old BAL. Pictures: The BTO and FIBA**

Muzadi says that as an athlete, his mind was always on matters related to the court, so he could sit and take in the excitement of being at a sporting event like the Olympics. Now, being behind a camera lens, it has taken on a whole different meaning.

“I have a crazy story. At last year’s Paris Olympics, I was there to shoot content. It was my first Olympics being on the other side, and not as an athlete. It was then that I understood what was going on in the media space because, as an athlete, your mind is on the game. Coaches, stats, videos and then you are back to your room,” said Muzadi, a two-time Olympian with Angola. “You don’t get to enjoy the other stuff to do with the Olympics, like the opening and closing ceremony. This time around, I stayed till the end of the Games. I saw things differently, from when I was an athlete. Today, I am like, ‘Wow they have a life outside of sports’. And I was able to capture that.”

Muzadi maintained his ties to basketball after retirement through 3X3, where the vision of creating content began to unfold. It was also where he realised that he had an eye for photography. It also hit him that being an employer sometimes meant adopting a hands-on approach when running his business.

“I am a 3X3 promoter, which is something I started six or seven years ago. I used to hire one of my friends to shoot for me, but he would deliver the content late. It became a problem to explain the situation to the event sponsor,” said Muzadi. “So I bought my own camera and started shooting content for myself… And everybody was like, ‘You are good at it.’

“I was also a commentator for SuperSport, and I got into audiovisual work while I was working for them. So that also opened my eyes to how content is created.”

It led to Muzadi becoming an ambassador for the photographic equipment company Canon. “When I opened my agency, which does photography, drone photography and video, one of my clients was impressed with the work we do. They told us we capture the soul of people and that they would pitch the idea of me becoming an influencer and ambassador for Canon because they did not have one in Angola,” said Muzadi. “So, I sent some pics I took, and from there, I got validated. This has been a great way for me and my team to tell stories.”

Muzadi the philanthropist

Not only is Muzadi a leader in his company, but he also serves as the general secretary of the Special Olympics in Angola, a challenging role. Helping people who need it the most should be easy, but Muzadi explains that he has had to push barriers.

“It’s tough. You want to do more, but there are limitations. You have to know how to pitch to sponsors for them to be part of the process,” said Muzadi. “The Special Olympics started four years ago in Angola. So it’s brand new. I work with my former teammate, Jean Jacques Conceicao, a Hall of Famer. It’s been a process. We have tried to implement new initiatives, push for legislation, and secure medical support.

“We are trying to show that through sport, people with disabilities can do more than what others think.”

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Continuing Angola’s dominance in the AfroBasket and club championships

In his heyday, Muzadi was part of Angola’s team that continued the Southern African nation’s dominance in African basketball. Harking to those glory days, Muzadi, a four-time AfroBasket winner, says the Angolan team of that time and its style of play resembled the celebrated Golden Warriors.

Angola was a star-studded team with names like Joaquim Gomes, Eduardo Mingas, Victor Carvalho, Miguel Lutonda, Olimpio Cipriano, and the up-and-coming Carlos Morais.

“It was a great run with those guys… Winning every AfroBasket during that era. My last AfroBasket was in 2007 in Angola, and I really enjoyed it,” said Muzadi. “I miss those days playing against some great teams. We had some good players like Victor Carvalho. He was Stephen Curry before Stephen Curry came on the scene. He is an assistant at Petro, and he still shoots the ball well, even today. Angola played like the Golden State of a few years ago… Live by the three, die by the three.”

Muzadi says the reason Angola stood head and shoulders above the rest in Africa was because of their preparation. “People don’t understand the volume of training we had. We prepared three to four months ahead of the AfroBasket… Sometimes outside the country. We even came here to South Africa, but the cold was too much for us,” said Muzadi.

Victor Muzadi Angola — **Victor Muzadi has played in top-level competition for Angola.**

His club career was also illustrious, bringing him 16 Angolan league titles and two continental club trophies. He says being part of any Angolan club, especially when travelling the continent, meant they bore the fury of opposition fans. It was also something that fuelled him and his teammates.

“Those were tough times – I remember when we went to the Central African Republic – as soon as we got to the venue, opposing fans threw things and insulted us, but we loved it,” said Muzadi. “Everybody hated us, but when we won, we received applause. People called us stone-cold assassins. We only celebrated when we got home because when we were away, we focused on the job.”

Muzadi’s playing career is a story of success. He is one of the few players to have stood on a podium with many winners’ medals. He has also maintained a similar level of excellence in his second career, capturing the hearts and minds of sports fans with his content.

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Ngenzahayo, Urunani chase VBL title No18 and BAL dream

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URUNANI BC is a behemoth in Burundi’s basketball scene. They have the most domestic championship titles and attract some of the best talents in the game, ensuring they remain a dominant force at home. Sisi Wenyewe, while successful in Burundi, has seen itself fall short in trying to qualify for the five-year-old BAL. It has been, in some cases, so near yet so far.

One player familiar with the domestic triumphs of Urunani and the disappointment of failing to qualify for the continental showpiece is long-serving shooting guard Malick Ngenzahayo.

The 29-year-old has seen the BAL escape his grasp first with New Star (in 2021) and twice with Urunani (2022 and 2024). He explained his anguish at falling short with Burundi’s most successful club.

“It’s been painful. Knowing you have worked hard and want it badly, but when you get on the court, things don’t go your way. It’s painful,” said Ngenzahayo.

**Malick Ngenzahayo believes Urunani can defend the VBL title it won last year with the tools at its disposal. Pictures: FIBA Africa**

The guard says this season, he and Urunani are more determined to get over the hump. They aim to become the second team from Burundi to qualify for the BAL. So far, their rivals, Dynamo, hold that feat.

“We are becoming mentally tougher. We have played with players who competed in the BAL. On an individual level, I am also working hard. I want to help the team be successful this year,” said the Ngenzahayo.

With the regular season now complete, Urunani, who lost two games and finished second behind rivals Dynamo, ended with a 22-2 record, losing to Dynamo and Remesha.

Following their defeat to Dynamo in April, Ngezahayo and Urunani went on a whopping 10-game unbeaten run. Part of the winning streak included beating Dynamo (60-52) in May, with the shooting guard leading the team with 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Reflecting on the win against Dynamo, Ngezahayo stated that it set them up for the remaining games and the playoffs.

“It was tough because they beat us (in the first round), so we had to get one back and show we were ready for the playoffs,” said Ngenzahayo.

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As Urunani chases title No. 18 in the domestic league, VBL, a strong squad is required. Players like Mamadou Diome (Senegal) and Onyebuchi Prosper (Nigeria), as well as Romis Bujeje, have returned to the team. American back-court players Will Perry and Patrick McGlynn, who played in the BAL’s Sahara Conference for AS Ville Dakar and Kriol Star, will add quality as Urunani begins its title defence later this month.

“These are pieces that will add value to the team. We needed to improve our rebounding and also control the game, so those players will help us do that. We want to win,” emphasised Ngenzahayo.

Moving away from the matters of on-court results, Ngenzahayo related what it means to be a Urunani player. He says the infectious passion of the fans is what drives them through the good and bad games.

“It’s the fans. They are passionate and crazy about the club. They are with us through the tough times. I love that about them,” said Ngenzahayo. “Since I was a kid, the club has helped me with many things. Even in my school days, they helped me a lot.

“Urunani is in my heart. That’s why I play like am possessed whenever I wear the jersey. I give everything I have for them because of what they have done for me.”

Malick Ngenzahayo Urunani — **Ngenzahayo loves Urunani because of the fans and what it has done for him.**

Sisi Wenyewe means the world to Ngenzahayo, and he is always prepared to give his all for them. As the VBL playoffs begin in a few days, he will hope Urunani, taking on Remesha on Saturday in the playoffs semi-final series, can defend that domestic title and chase the dream of the BAL again.

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Marathon journey ends with first BAL title for Al Ahli Tripoli

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AL AHLI Tripoli’s epic journey in the BAL culminated in them winning Season 5 of the continental competition. The Libyan club, led from the Road to BAL to the promised land by the always lively and cheerful Lebanese coach, Fouad Abou Chacra, put in assured performances throughout the tournament. Making them deserving winners of their maiden BAL trophy.

Their story of becoming the last team standing at the mountain top in African club basketball looked like a seamless marathon. An unbeaten run in the preliminary phase at home in Tripoli and the Elite 16 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, last year in the Road to BAL, ended in Al Ahli becoming the second side from its country to qualify for the BAL.

At the BAL, they dominated the Nile Conference in Rwanda and headed to South Africa for the playoffs with a 6-0 record. In the playoffs’ seeding games, they had a come-down-to-earth moment against an equally dominant Egyptian side, Al Ittihad, which came to South Africa with a similar record from the Kalahari Conference in Morocco. Fortunately, for Al Ahli, the momentary blip reinvigorated them, as they took down Kriol Star and APR to secure a place in the grand finalè, becoming the second Road to BAL side to do so. The Tripoli side travelled a similar road to compatriots Al Ahli Benghazi, but the former would go a step further.

Al Ahli Tripoli the BAL champions — **Al Ahli Tripoli players celebrate winning their first BAL title after beating defending champion Petro de Luanda. Pictures: The BAL**

With hoop gods smiling on them, the side from the Libyan capital, Tripoli, masterfully took apart defending champions Petro, 88-67 in front of a capacity crowd at the Sunbet Arena in South Africa’s capital, Tshwane.

Egyptian giant Assem Marei, who was used sparingly by this year’s BAL Coach of the Season Abou Chacra during the tournament, could not be contained by Petro as he finished with finesse in the paint and tipped back loose balls on his way to a double-double (22 points and 19 rebounds).

Marei played the entire 40 minutes in the final, and he says he was grateful for Abou Chacra resting him in the seeding game. He felt sitting out that game against Al Ittihad did him and Al Ahli Tripoli a world of good.

“Coach has been generous with me. I told him I was tired from the travelling. I had to travel to a lot of countries to try and get a visa to come here,” said Marei. “He agreed and generously let me rest for the first game. It was a turning point for me. So I was grateful for that rest.”

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Marei, a recent winner of the South Korean Basketball League, also reflected on his first trophy win on African soil.

“First of all, Allahhamdulilla (Thank God). It’s amazing to win two championships. Of course, this one is for Libya. It means a great deal to the people of that country, the players and the organisation,” said the Egyptian international. “It’s amazing. I’m so grateful. It is my first African championship and it means a lot to me.”

At the post-final press conference, winning captain Mohamed Sadi, who played in the inaugural BAL with AS Douanes, says the victory was a culmination of all the hard work they put in.

“This is not easy. We had like 15 games and lost one. We had tough games, but we worked hard. The team has great players and a great coach. The team stuck together to achieve the goal. Allahhamdulilla for everything. Now we go back home with the trophy,” said Sadi, who had 11 points and eight rebounds in the final. “We made history for our country and made people happy. Basketball changed in Libya, and now all of Africa sees it.”

Jean-Jacques Boissy, a finalist in the 2023 competition, did not just walk away with the winner’s trophy on Saturday night; he was crowned tournament MVP for his sterling performances. His shot-making accuracy from behind the arc was something to marvel at throughout this season of the BAL.

Al Ahli Tripoli win BAL trophy — **Mahomed Sadi and his Al Ahli Tripoli teammates dance the night away after winning the BAL trophy.**

During the post-game press conference, the Senegalese point guard, who scored 12 points against Petro, attributed his success to quietly going about his business behind the scenes.

“It was not something I was expecting. I wanted to come out here and show my work. My focus was on my game. I am happy to get the MVP and be the scoring leader,” said Boissy, who averaged 19.7 points per game. “We have a great team and management. They worked hard behind the scenes. It didn’t just happen. What you’re seeing now is the result of work that was put in when no one was watching.”

What a journey it was from the Road to BAL journey to the BAL champions for Al Ahli. As they embark on the long flight back to Tripoli, they will rest knowing it was their time to reap the reward of what they had sown.

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Diabate hungry for BAL title and the ring of victory

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SOLO Diabate certainly has to be one of the greatest stories to come from the BAL, which is now in its fifth season. The mercurial Ivorian point guard is the personification of what success and consistency are on the court. The floor general shares the record of winning the most BAL titles (two), and on Saturday afternoon, he will appear in a fourth final, a record he owns.

The latter bothers the Petro de Luanda player because, in his words, “no one remembers that you played in the final”. The competitor in Diabate will not allow him to settle for second place. In his second stint with Petro, he hopes to help them defend the title they won last year and win his third BAL trophy at the Sunbet Arena against Libya’s Al Ahli Tripoli.

“Being in the final means nothing. I want to win. I won the first two titles… With Zamalek and then US Monastir. I did not make the final in the third season, and I lost playing for Al Ahli Benghazi in the fourth,” said Diabate. “No one remembers that I was in the final. Ok, it’s talked about. But everyone remembers Petro won last year.

“I don’t want to be in the final just to say I played in it this many times… I want to win.”

The 37-year-old says he kept his cool after Petro cut down Egyptian giants Al Ittihad, unbeaten before the semi-final on Wednesday night. More than winning the trophy, this year, the BAL has also introduced winners’ rings, and Diabate wants to be the first to put one on.

“That is why yesterday, after the semi-final, I did not celebrate too much. The job is not done until you win the cup and the ring. The BAL is also giving rings to the winners, so I want to win so I can be among the first players to wear it on their finger,” said a two-time AfroBasket silver medallist.

Solo Diabate Petro de Luanda — **Solo Diabate wants a BAL title more than to set records. Pictures: The BTO**

As he said, the job of the BAL is far from over, and he did not want to entertain the talk of the potential of sitting atop the totem pole as the sole player to win the trophy three times. He recalled a statement made by former NBA player Ian Mahinmi that might have jinxed him ahead of the final against Petro last year.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I remember last year, before the final, Ian Mahinmi told me, ‘Solo. If you win your third final, we are going to retire your jersey.’ I was like ok, but we lost the game,” said Diabate. “So I don’t want to talk or think too far ahead about the other stuff… I want to win first.

“I am not here to set records. Or try to be the first to do this or that. If I win, I will be happy.”

Before delving further into Saturday’s final, Diabate spoke about his return to Angola, specifically, Petro, and the BAL season the club has had. He described the club as a well-run institution, and he articulated his admiration for Os Petroleos’ loyal fans.

“I love everything around Angolan basketball. People care about it, and that is why the game has developed the way it has. As Petro, they take care of players. That’s why I came back,” said Diabate. “Also, the fans… I remember playing in the gym two years ago and how packed it was for those games. I liked it. Our goal that year was to win the BAL, but it didn’t happen… It’s a second chance to win it.”

He rejoined a Petro that is without legends like Carlos Morais, Jone Pedro and Gerson Lukeny, who all moved on to different clubs. While it was an adjustment for Diabate, he spoke with the understanding that it is part of the cycle of sports players to move on from clubs.

“They are my brothers. Even if I played with them for a season, we remain close. I think the Angolan players felt the change the most because they played with them (the legends) the longest,” said Diabate. “It was weird to go back and have them not there, but its part of the business… I am old enough to undertstand that.”

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Despite the significant personnel change, Diabate and the new-look Petro again defended the domestic league and cup titles, and many would have expected them to blitz through the tough Sahara Conference in Senegal.

It was not the case, as Petro gave inconsistent performances in the group phase. In their three wins, they looked like championship material, and in their three losses, they resembled a has-been outfit.

“It was the hardest conference. Our conference was the most competitive. All the teams were good. It’s basketball. Sometimes you shine, and other times it’s a struggle,” said Diabate. “People started saying we are not ready. But here we are in the final. We have two new players that have helped us. These are great guys and additions. They changed things for us.”

Diabate was referring to South Africa’s small forward, Samkelo Cele and American combo guard, Kendrick Ray, who both signed for Petro for the playoffs in South Africa.

Both players were part of the seeding game loss to Rwanda’s APR, and that defeat heightened the noise of Petro’s doubters. Diabate reasoned that the loss was a necessary wake-up call for him and his teammates.

“They destroyed us, physically, technically, in everything. They were strong,” said Diabate. “So we went back to the hotel, watched some video footage, and took time to think about the game. This got us ready against Monastir, a team we played twice in Senegal.”

Between the loss to APR and the eventual victory over Tunisia’s Monastir, something shifted. Sergio Moreno tinkered with his starting line-up in the quarter-final against Monsatir and employed a similar strategy against Al Ittihad, leading to a third final appearance for Petro. While Moreno’s move confused the hell out of their opposition on two occasions, Diabate downplayed it.

“The changing of line-ups is nothing special because we have a lot of players. They all bring something to the court. So our coach has a lot of choices,” Diabate.

The BAL final brings a certain feeling of déjà vu for Petro as they face another Libyan opposition in Al Ahli Tripoli. Diabate, who is well-versed in Libyan basketball, expects Tripoli to bring their A-game.

“This is one of the hardest finals I am going to play in. They are a strong team and well-coached, but we are ready for those 40 minutes of basketball,” Diabate stated confidently.

Diabate pledged they want to win BAL Season 5 for the Petro fans, but he also wants a triumph for sentimental reasons.

“We are going to fight like we have since the beginning. We want to make history for everybody. I want to win it for my dad, too. He loves Petro, I don’t know why but he has always loved them. So, I want to win it for him,” concluded Diabate.

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Strong family ties and hardwork put Marei in position for success

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EGYPTIAN baller Assem Marei says family is one of the elements that has kept him grounded since he started playing basketball. His father, mother and brother all played their part in schooling him on the finer points of the game. Now, as a grown man and a professional, his wife is playing a key role in being the glue that holds his family together, and her presence has helped Marei achieve a thriving career.

In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Al Ahli Tripoli player Marei described how his family’s influence has encompassed his career. He also talks about being part of Libyan club Al Ahli Tripoli’s push for success at the BAL playoffs.

Thirty-year-old Marei, the son of a former basketball player, Ahmed Marei, who now coaches, says his family taught him how to be coachable, which in turn made him a better player.

“My dad, mom and brother… Everybody played basketball, so I grew up around it. My father has been a head coach for as long as I can remember. I had three head coaches, so it gave me a level head and it taught me to accept criticism and not to be sensitive,” said the Egyptian national team player. “One of the things I can say about myself is that I am coachable and I can accept criticism from a coach because I have had it my whole life.”

The tough love from his family paid off as his game grew, leading the former Zamalek player to be part of a generation of Egyptian players who made their way to college in the United States.

“One of the programs that opened that door was Basketball Without Borders (BWB). It (BWB) and the national federation paved the way for me to attend college,” said Marei, who attended Minnesota State University and graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Assem Marei Al Ahli Tripoli — **Assem Marei’s career began in Egypt, and it has seen him go on to have a phenomenal career abroad. Pictures: The BTO**

His career from college to the pros has been a picture of toil and well-earned accolades. Marei, who earned NSIC (Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) honours from 2012-2015, says the success comes from understanding what his job is on the court and being great at it.

“I am grateful. I never expected to play this long, ten years as a professional outside of Egypt and three years in college. Every year, I get hungrier. I feel I have the best job in the world. I want to keep it going for as long as possible,” said Marei. “The one thing I am big on is job descriptions. Growing up, it’s something my dad talked to me about. He’s huge on job descriptions on the court. It’s something I accepted. So what I do on the court, I do at a high level.

“That helped me throughout my career… Focusing on inside presence, rebounding and helping my team. So, I am not going to be a pick and pop shooter or shoot three points… Those things will take away from what got me here.”

Marei joined Al Ahli Tripoli for the BAL playoffs in South Africa after helping to lead the South Korean club Changwon LG Sakers to the KBL (Korean Basketball League) title.

Travelling through the different time zones took a lot out of him, and obtaining a visa to travel to South Africa seemed like an extreme sport. Marei had to country hop a bit before securing his travel documents to South Africa. Despite the challenge and toll it took, Marei was calm.

“It was the most difficult thing I have gone through in my career. I am happy to be here,” said Marei. “I had to bring my wife and kids to Egypt first and stayed there for a bit. From home, I had to fly to Rwanda and then to Istanbul to get a visa for South Africa. Things did not work in Istanbul, so I had to fly to Tunisia and then back home to take care of my wife and other things.”

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Through the visa ordeal and being an accomplished sportsman, Marei says the presence of his wife allows him to focus on his job.

“My wife is amazing. She does everything. She helps me focus on basketball. To me, it’s always family first. When that is taken care of, I can do my job,” said Marei. “Sometimes it’s too much for her. I have two boys and we are expecting a third baby. She has been an important part of this.”

In South Africa, for the last week, Marei has also had to give his attention to the Al Ahli Tripoli family, which is trying to become the first club from Libya to win the BAL title.

So far, he has had a productive three games, two in the Nile Conference against APR (10 points and nine rebounds) and MBB (18 points and 10 rebounds) and in the quarter-finals against Kriol Star (13 points and 13 rebounds).

While the numbers are pleasing to the eye and have contributed to Al Ahli becoming the second club from Libya to progress to the semi-finals, where they will face familiar foe APR, Marei feels he can up his game a bit more.

“It can get better. One of my favourite things is I love when other players enjoy playing with me. That makes me happy as a player. I think we are achieving that,” said Marei. “I like to be a players player… Helping my teammates to play better. We are transitioning well. We are getting better with every game.”

On Wednesday at the Sunbet Arena, Marei and his teammates will face an improved APR team that dismantled the Rivers Hoopers in their Monday afternoon quarter-final clash.

“APR have size and they are athletic. They cover space well. So our offence has to play the right way… We have to space and all that because they can cover their defensive mistake by their size,” said Marei.

Assem Marei in action for Al Ahli Tripoli — **Assem Marei has enjoyed his time at Al Ahli Tripoli, and he believes members of the club put in a good shift, so it can be successful.**

Al Ahli will attempt to match the feats of rivals Al Ahli Benghazi by becoming the second Road to BAL and Libyan team to qualify for the BAL final. Given his closeness to the situation, Marei shared why Libyan teams are succeeding at the BAL.

“They have so much heart. Not just the players, but the staff at the club too. They have put so much heart and soul into this. And the whole country is watching,” said Marei. “It’s exciting to be part of an organisation where basketball means so much. It puts a huge responsibility on our shoulders.

“If you are a good high-level player, you want that. We want every game to mean a lot and not just play nonchalantly. It makes the game a lot more fun.”

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Salgado, Kriol Star putting Cape Verde on the map in the BAL

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KRIOL Star coach Hugo Salgado had taken time off from basketball for family reasons, but an SOS call from the team owner and player Joel Almeida led to the Portuguese coach doing a u-turn on his intended commitments. It seems to be a decision that has paid off for the Cape Verde team, which keeps scaling new heights.

Salgado told The Big Tip Off on Saturday at the Maslow Hotel, a day before Kriol Star’s BAL quarter-final clash against Libyan club Al Ahly Tripoli, that a long-standing relationship between him and the Almeida brothers swayed him.

“It is friendship that brought me on board. I used to coach Joel and Ivan Almeida back in Portugal 12 years ago,” recalled Salagado. “When he called, I had taken a short break from basketball. I have two small kids, and I had a difficult season last year at my former club.

He continued: “I wanted to use December to rest and be with my family. That is when Joel called me about helping them out with qualifying (for the BAL). It was a last-minute call, but I said to myself, ‘Why not?’.

“So the season I wanted to rest, is the season I travelled the most.”

Hugo Salgado Kriol Star — **Hugo Salgado led Kriol Star to a historic BAL qualification. Pictures: The BTO**

Kriol Star’s foray into Africa’s elite club competition saw them go through the disappointment of finishing winless in the preliminary Road to BAL Division West last year. But good fortune befell Salgado and his team when they gained entry to the Elite 16 Division East via a wild card.

The islanders would finish among the top two clubs, laying the way for them to make their BAL debut. Which was also a first for Cape Verde’s basketball.

Reflecting on the Road to BAL, Salgado says the reason they performed poorly in Libya was a combination of scrambling to put a team together in a short time and not having enough time to practice.

“Our biggest struggle was that we did not have time to practice. We got entry into the tournament late, and we had to put together a team in two days,” said Salgado. “I remember the game against Stade Malien, who also made it to this year’s BAL. We did well leading the game for 30 minutes, but they punished us in the last 10 minutes.

“Against Al Ahli, we dominated one quarter, but our lack of preparation showed.”

Going to Kenya, Salgado says he had ample time to prepare the team, which led to the historic qualification for the months-old club.

“In Kenya, we did not change much. The difference was having enough time to pick the players that could compete at this level. We managed to do something amazing… Which was to beat Urunani in the semi-final. Before then they were unbeaten, so it was amazing for us,” said Salgado.

Fast forward to the BAL Sahara Conference, the club from the island nation continued to make great strides. They ended with a 3-3 record, and they were the best third-place team in the tournament.

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The qualification for the playoffs in Tshwane, South Africa, was not without drama. Following the do-or-die win over Angolan giants Petro de Luanda, which added another milestone to Kriol Star’s and Cape Verde’s basketball history, a post on social media alleged that some import players were unhappy with living conditions and that the team owed them money.

Looking back at the situation and the victory over Petro, Salgado says he left out players who would not help the team’s cause. He also dispelled rumours of management intervening in team matters.

“It was easy (to motivate the players) against Petro. I found the right players to win the that game. I left out the players who were not healthy for the team. It was a coaching decision not a management one, as I read in some articles,” emphasised Salgado. “It was a coaching decision…. Against Petro we put up a big fight. It was important that we either win or lose with dignity.”

The adversity seems to have made this upstart team from Cape Verde a closer unit. Following their 91-88 win over Morocco’s FUS Rabat in the seeding game on Friday night, a new level of confidence should ideally engulf the club, especially in the quarter-final battle against familiar foe Al Ahli on Sunday.

Salgado may be well-acquainted with his club’s opponents, and he also has Ivan Almeida, a former Ahli player, who helped the Libyans qualify for the BAL. Asked if he will lean on what he has learnt about them and the intimate knowledge Almeida possesses about them, Salgado said a vehement no.

“Hundred per cent no! The way we have studied them is the way they have studied us,” said Salgado. “I am going to take the pressure. We love pressure. We love going on the court, knowing that there is a knockout game we have to win.

“If we win, it will again be a historic moment. If Al Ahli lose, that’s tough.”

Hugo Salgado Kriol Star Coach — **Hugo Salgado says Kriol Star is prepared to fight in the quarter-final clash against Al Ahli.**

Salgado is also happy with what he has been able to achieve with Kriol Star, a franchise operating on a smaller budget than some of the teams at the BAL.

“It’s the difference in budgets here. I don’t like to talk too much about budgets, but if we had more money, I would pay the players we have now,” said Salgado. “I like the team we have… They show up on the court and fight for the club.

“We don’t have an advantage. Al Ahli will be the favourites because of how they built the roster, but we will fight.”

The islanders have been resilient against many odds, and on Sunday, they will have to dig in if they want to continue their miraculous run.

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Konaté itches for more success after historic season with JCA

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DURING his illustrious playing career, El Jefe (The Chef) used to cook many an opponent on the basketball courts of Côte d’Ivoire and the rest of the African continent. The result was a plate peppered with domestic trophies and a sprinkling of continental success for the iconic Stéphane Konaté.

It’s been two years since Konaté called time on his remarkable playing career. Since then, he has traded in his playing sneakers for the coach’s clipboard and, in a short space of time, has tasted success as the coach of Juenesse Club d’Abidjan (JCA).

In an interview with The Big Tip Off, Konaté, who had a triumphant season with JCA, says he was always adamant that he wanted to be a coach after his playing career ended. The Ivorian legend expressed his love for sharing knowledge, which pushed him to pursue his coaching certifications in 2016.

“When I announced that I was retiring, I already knew I was going to be a coach. I believe it was written for me. Also, I am a sports teacher, so, it’s been my job. I love it and I love giving. I love transforming players. Making them better. I love this game,” said the former Côte d’Ivoire captain.

Konate, a 2005 FIBA Africa Champion Cup winner and MVP, continued, “While I was playing, I also prepared for life after basketball. I passed my FIBA Level 1 in 2016, and a few years ago got my Level 2.”

Stephane Konate JCA Ligue d'Or — **Stèphane Konatè has exceeded expectations with the JCA club. Pictures: JCA**

He says the inspiration to take up coaching came from within and was affirmed by coaches who told him he had what it took to call the shots from the bench. Having the latitude to give input convinced him he was making the right choice.

“No one specific person inspired me to want to become a coach. It came quite naturally,” said Konatè. “One of the things I did well was to find solutions on the court and propose them to the coaches. It is something my former coaches became aware of and told me I would make a good coach. So, I took their advice.”

While Konate headed the counsel of his former coaches to pursue the coaching profession, they also offered words of caution.

“Generally, coaches told me to be careful because good players are not necessarily good coaches. The difference with me, I think, is that I’m a teacher. It changes a lot,” said Konatè.

He says his first coaching role with the Ivorian club, Hypersonics, was a confirmation that he is a capable coach, and while his stay was short at the club, he achieved good results.

“They (Hypersonics) were the first team I coached in the Ligue d’Or last year. They are a team of young people, and I proved I could add value to them. At the end of the first phase of the championship, we finished first and played in the playoffs,” said the two-time AfroBasket silver-medallist.”

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He took over JCA under not-so-easy circumstances, as he had little time to acclimate to the team. Konatè expressed that he thrives on challenges, and the opportunity to lead an ambitious JCA club, already boasting two titles – the Coupe de Côte d’Ivoire and the Super Cup – was a compelling prospect.

“When JCA offered me the head coach’s job and to compete for the championship, it was a big challenge for me. I thrive on challenges because they push you,” said Konaté. “I had a month before the start of the championship. So, I did not have the preparation time I would have wanted, but I accepted the challenge. I remember the first game… The pressure was mounting as we approached that first match. Everyone was waiting for me and my team… To see how we would do.

“I remember feeling the nerves in my body. But I trusted the players and they trusted me too. I think things went well, even if I lost that first match in overtime.”

That early loss provided the right jolt, as it led to Konate masterminding JCA’s exceptional season. They marched to a historic double, winning the cup in April and the league this month. While he hopes to build on the recent success in domestic competition, Konate explained that winning the two championships came much earlier than expected.

“Just amazing. It’s wonderful. I didn’t think it would happen so quickly. At the same time, I was working for it. I worked game after game without thinking about the end of the championship. And it happened… Thank God,” said Konate. “It’s clear that we have achieved something great with this club. The hardest part begins now. The hardest thing is now staying on top.”

The league victory means Konaté, who competed in the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) with the ABC Fighters, will now lead JCA on its first-ever Road to BAL campaign – a path he’s well acquainted with from his time with the Fighters.

“The board started to look at local signings first, and then some experienced players to help us qualify. We will have a month and a half to prepare for this competition,” said Konaté. “If we go through the qualifying stages and we manage to qualify for the BAL, it will serve something incredible for the club and especially for me. To come back to the BAL as a head coach would be incredible.

Konatè had a legendary career as a player. Now, as a coach, he is writing a new chapter and already carving out what is turning out to be another amazing story.

Konaté itches for more success after historic season with JCA Read More »

Putney to bring intensity for Hoopers in playoffs homecoming

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THE gruelling conference stages of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) are done and dusted, and the teams to battle it out in the playoffs in Tshwane, South Africa (6-14 June) have been decided. One player looking forward to reconnecting with South Africa is forward Raphiael Putney, who has been preparing himself for the upcoming and intense duels of the playoff stages, the latter which will determine the team that will claim the coveted BAL baobab-shaped trophy.

Putney’s Nigerian club, Rivers Hoopers, secured its ticket to Tshwane last month at the Kalahari Conference in Morocco… So he and Hoopers will await their playoff opponent from either the Nile Conference, the Sahara Conference or a team from the Kalahari Conference.

American player Putney, currently in Houston, Texas, is a familiar face in South African basketball, having first tasted the game on the continent as a Cape Town Tigers player. The Virginia-born Putney led the Tigers to a second national championship in 2022 and successfully helped them qualify for the 2023 BAL, which he disappointingly did not play in.

“For me, this is like a homecoming. I made a lot of friends while I was playing for the Tigers. I am looking forward to showing up for the team (Hoopers) and doing my best,” said Putney. “It’s something I am looking forward to…. Coming to South Africa… It’s one of the countries that gave me a chance to continue my career. I wish I could have played with them (the Tigers), but certain circumstances did not allow me to.”

Putney continued: “I said this two years ago, ‘I want to come back and play in South Africa’… It’s going to happen soon. It’s for a different team, but I am going to showcase my talents to people who believed in me while I was there.”

Raphiael Putney Rivers Hoopers — **Raphiael Putney led the BAL in blocks at the end of the Kalahari Conference. Pictures: The BAL and Rivers Hoopers**

Having navigated the Kalahari Conference with a 4-2 record, how did Putney feel about playing in his first BAL tournament?

“I loved it. It’s been a great experience. A lot better than what I expected,” said Putney. “There were great teams in Morocco. We faced challenges (in the conference) early on, but the team we had was able to do something special.

“We have a good group of guys willing to work hard to win. I bring my veteran leadership. We want to do better than last year’s third place finish. We want to win the championship.”

If Hoopers want to have a shot at the BAL title, Putney, who averaged 13.5 points per game, 1.3 assists per game and 5.5 rebounds per game, says the Kingsmen have to figure out their style of play.

“We need to find our identity. We’re a strong defensive team, though we occasionally have lapses,” said Putney. “During the Kalahari Conference we had leads in games and thought it was a wrap, so we need to put pressure on teams.”

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He also pointed out what he needed to work on to contribute to the success of the Hoopers in the playoffs. Putney had to immediately join the Kingsmen for their BAL campaign, which gave him little time to recover from intense competition in Mexico’s Pacific Coast Basketball Circuit playoffs for Pioneros de Delicias.

“I had some fatigue after playing back-to-back games in the playoffs in Mexico. But it was not to a point where I was not effective for my team (Hoopers). So I have to stay focused, hit my jump shots and be aggressive,” said Putney. “I feel like I am a mismatch on the floor. So, I can be a playmaker and do certain things to help my team win games.

“Most importantly, I bring defensive intensity. I think I’ll continue to lead the league in blocked shots. That’s my goal, everywhere I go I’ve led in blocked shots and want continue that in the league,” said Putney.

Six-foot-ten (2.08m) Putney, who averaged 1.7 blocks per game, has since dropped down the rankings in blocked shots to joint fifth, so a lot of work is ahead of him in trying to dislodge current No. 1 Aliou Diarra of Rwandan club APR.

Raphiael Putney, The BAL and Rivers Hoopers — **Raphiael Putney says the Hoopers are aiming for the BAL trophy.**

The forward has a couple of weeks to fine-tune his game to help the Hoopers achieve their goals. The 35-year-old says he’s used his time off productively to stay ready for the playoffs, like waking up early to go through his paces.

“When I got here, I knew we had a month off. So, I planned my schedule around this month until I get back for the playoffs,” said Putney. “I have a program that I follow. I wake up at five in the morning to do my workouts. It’s cardio and hooping so that I stay prepared and in game shape. So, I have not taken any time off,” said Putney.

The well-travelled Putney sounds confident of what Hoopers will be able to do come the playoffs. He’s also finally gotten his shot at showing what he can do in the BAL. As Hoopers take another step towards their goal, they will be like a raging river swallowing everything standing in its way.

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Vincent and Prinsloo get real about reason for MBB’s failures

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SOUTH African basketball is rich in potential but trapped in a cycle of dysfunction. Despite having excellent infrastructure, South Africa lags due to deep-rooted leadership issues within basketball. These problems were evident during the 2024 BAL Nile Conference, where Johannesburg-based Made By Basketball (MBB) finished with a 2-4 record, missing the playoffs and raising familiar questions about the country’s readiness to compete at the highest level.

Head coach Sam Vincent, a former NBA player and seasoned coach, did not hold back in assessing the situation in the post-game presser.

“We came into camp a little late. We were still adding players, we don’t have a formal league in South Africa to give four or five months of development and playing together as a team to prepare for this competition,” said the former Nigeria national women’s team coach.

Vincent pointed out the lack of consistent, competitive basketball in the country. Even in the country’s national league, the BNL, an entity no longer recognised by Basketball South Africa, undermines growth at every level.

“I saw the schedule for the BNL league, and there are maybe three games for the season. It’s just not enough competition. If South African players are going to improve and get better, they need to play regularly,” he stated.

Sam Vincent MBB Basketball Africa League — **Sam Vincent laments the state of South African basketball. Pictures: The BAL**

Vincent’s counterpart from Al Ahli Tripoli, Coach Fouad Abou Chacra, whose team defeated MBB twice in the tournament, offered a moment of camaraderie. While praising South Africa’s raw talent, he highlighted the disconnect between potential and preparation.

“The team needs to be more organised, I know many of these players and they can perform well. But the coach is the pilot; he needs more time to bring the plane up and down safely,” said Abou Chacra.

He emphasised the importance of cultural awareness and long-term commitment when building a national basketball program

“I didn’t bring my program and impose it in Libya. I studied the culture… You can’t make generals into soldiers. Coaches need to adapt their philosophy to fit the people.”

No League, No Rhythm

MBB’s Pieter Prinsloo provided a frank assessment of the situation, pointing directly at the federation’s failure to establish a functioning professional league. “We need our federation to have a real, competitive league so we can prepare. Every other team in this competition will be playing in a league from October to November until April and May.”

He noted that countries like Egypt produce BAL-calibre teams because their players consistently stay in rhythm and compete in a professional league.

“Al Ittihad just reached the finals in Egypt, and US Monastir just played the finals with Club Africain. All these countries have a pro league, these players are in rhythm and playing the whole year,” said Prinsloo. “South Africa, unfortunately, is stuck in a situation where there are too many complications, and we don’t have a pro league that works.”

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Once MBB took to the floor, they looked a step slower than the opposition in the games they lost. South Africa’s representatives entered the tournament undercooked, having only completed a six-week training camp.

“We’re coming in off a six-week training camp and expected to put it all together, and it’s hard,” Prinsloo admitted.

However, it wasn’t just a lack of structure, it was a lack of cohesion. Prinsloo pointed out that teams like Tripoli displayed fluid, cohesive basketball because their players played together consistently.

“A team like Tripoli play incredible team basketball because they’ve been together throughout the whole year, some for multiple years,” said Prinsloo. “I arrived a week and a half before. Some of the guys arrived just four days before we flew here,” Prinsloo said.

The net result was that iTeam Yase Dladleni was still trying to find its rhythm while already in competition. “There were many moments where we didn’t play well, and you could tell that we were still a group of individuals coming together.”

A Window of Opportunity

Vincent believes the way forward is clear, but it won’t be easy. He insists that a long-term national league is essential, stating it must run for at least five to six months and provide 20 to 25 games per season if talent is to develop. “There has to be a more formal national league, consistent play is how you grow a program,” said Vincent.

Pieter Prinsloo, MBB, Basketball Africa League — **Pieter Prinsloo took aim at Basketball South Africa for not producing a competitive national league.**

He also called for better cooperation within the basketball community, from administrators to club owners and federation officials, to build sustainable systems rather than isolated efforts. Despite MBB’s early exit, Vincent remains optimistic. With the BAL Playoffs coming to Pretoria, South Africa’s capital, he encouraged fans to show up, engage with the sport, and experience world-class basketball on home soil.

“It’s amazing basketball. It’s a great competition. The entertainment and the arenas are NBA-style. You won’t get an NBA-style experience in Africa unless you attend a BAL event.”

South Africa does not lack talent. It lacks time on the court, structure off of it, and alignment among those driving the game forward. Until these gaps are closed, the country will continue to fall behind, not for lack of ability but for lack of preparation.

The BAL is bringing Africa’s best to Pretoria. The hope is that it can also inspire a sense of urgency because the window for South African basketball to catch up is still open, but won’t be open forever.

Vincent and Prinsloo get real about reason for MBB’s failures Read More »