Club Africain - The Big Tip Off

BAL Sahara Conference hits miday point

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

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

Current Standings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scoring output

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

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

The debutantes divide

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

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

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

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

The Road to Kigali

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

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

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Which clubs will brew up a storm in Sahara Conference?

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The Basketball Africa League Sahara Conference tips off with a compelling doubleheader, as Tunisia’s Club Africain takes on Senegal’s ASC Ville de Dakar, while hosts FUS Rabat go head-to-head with tournament newcomers JCA Kings of Côte d’Ivoire.

Club Africain vs ASC Ville de Dakar

This matchup presents a fascinating contrast between BAL experience and championship pedigree. ASC Ville de Dakar holds a clear edge in tournament familiarity, having already gone through the demands of the 2025 BAL conference phase. That experience matters in a competition where travel, physicality and late-game execution often decide outcomes. The Senegalese side qualified automatically after winning back-to-back Nationale 1 Masculin titles in 2024 and 2025.

Their roster also includes proven BAL contributors such as Solo Diabaté, a veteran point guard and two-time BAL champion, who won the title with Zamalek SC in the inaugural season (2021) and with Monastir the following year. He is joined by proven centre and returnee to AS Ville, Ater Majok, who won the 2022 championship with US Monastir and earned Defensive Player of the Year honours that same season.

Club Africain, on the other hand, arrive as BAL debutants but carry championship DNA within their core. Oussama Marnaoui won the BAL title, lifting the 2022 trophy with US Monastir, while veteran floor general Omar Abada adds elite-level experience as a 2021 All-BAL First Team selection and two-time AfroBasket champion, giving Club Africain an unusual blend of debutant status and proven winning pedigree.

Their 2025 domestic run in the Tunisian League, culminating in a 3–1 finals victory over US Monastir that secured their automatic qualification as national champions, further reinforces their ability to perform in high-pressure environments.

Statistically, ASC Ville de Dakar’s 2025 BAL campaign (2–4 record) highlighted inconsistency, particularly in closing out tight games, despite their notable upset over defending champions Petro de Luanda.

Club Africain, by contrast, arrive with momentum from sustained domestic dominance but faces the uncertainty of translating that success into continental competition for the first time.

FUS Rabat BAL Sahara 2026 — **FUS Rabat will host five other clubs in the Sahara Conference. Pictures: The BAL**

The coaching duel adds another layer: Club Africain’s Antonio Pérez Cainzos brings European tactical structure and methodical half-court discipline. Ville de Dakar’s coach, Moustapha Gaye, offers decades of African basketball experience and a deep understanding of BAL-style physicality and game management.

The key question is whether Club Africain’s title-winning players can impose their winning mentality in a new environment, or whether ASC Ville de Dakar’s hard-earned BAL experience and tactical familiarity will prove decisive in the closing moments.

FUS Rabat vs JCA Kings

This fixture is arguably the most compelling narrative matchup of opening day. FUS Rabat have a clear edge in experience, having twice reached the quarterfinals.

FUS has built its squad on continuity and BAL experience, with players like Will Perry, a two-time BAL Sportsmanship Award winner and 2024 All-BAL First Team selection, directing play as the floor general, while Abdelhakim Zouita, the club captain and 2017 FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup MVP, anchors the frontcourt. Both bring a deep understanding of the pace and physical demands of the competition.

Statistically, their trajectory tells a mixed story – strong at their 2024 peak (4–2 conference run), followed by a 2025 drop-off to 2–6, suggesting a team still searching for sustained consistency at an elite level.

On the other side, JCA Kings arrive with momentum rather than history. Their 7–1 Road to BAL qualification campaign signals a team that is confident, cohesive, and comfortable winning under pressure, even without prior BAL exposure. What they lack in continental experience, they make up for in rhythm and belief.

Their roster also includes Ulrich Kra, who emerged as a clutch player, averaging 22 points and four steals against Spintex Knights in the decisive Road to BAL Elite 16 semi-final, burying the dagger three that sealed BAL qualification. Point guard Jonathan Cisse delivered the decisive five-point run in the final moments of that same game. Combo guard and another veteran of the BAL, Chris Crawford, a seasoned campaigner in several BAL competitions, brings the veteran stability a debuting team needs.

Oussama Marnaoui Club Africain Sahara Conference 2026 — **Club Africain’s Oussama Marnaoui brings a championship pedigree to the team.**

The coaching contrast adds another layer. Stéphane Konaté is a rare figure in this competition, the first former BAL player to become a head coach in the league, having played for ABC Fighters and won the 2005 FIBA Africa Champions Cup and was the tournament MVP. That inside knowledge of African basketball’s highest level could prove decisive in game management, especially against a FUS bench that, while experienced, does not feature a coach with BAL playing pedigree.

FUS lean heavily on their home advantage at the 10,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, where crowd energy can be a major factor. But the Kings’ youthful fearlessness, combined with Chris Crawford’s experience and Lahat Thioune’s size inside, gives them the tools to disrupt that comfort.

Ultimately, the key question is whether FUS Rabat’s experience, shooting depth, and proven BAL history can steady them through the difficult moments or whether JCA Kings’ momentum, athleticism, and Konaté’s insider understanding of BAL dynamics will be enough to deliver a statement debut win.

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Gannouni, LeFriki setting a higher bar in the coming season

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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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Dixon, Lefriki go through the fire to reach Pro A final

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MICHAEL Dixon Jr. is well-versed in the challenging road to winning trophies and how in-game elements like a stubborn opposition, a hostile or extreme home crowd, can sometimes disrupt a potential championship run. This was almost the case for Dixon and Club Africain in the Tunisian city of Kairouan.

The 34-year-old, who joined Lefriki in February, experienced a torrential path to his second Pro A final. After Club Africain won the first two games on their home court against JS Kairouan (JSK), the four-time champions had an initial forbidden experience at the hands of JSK’s fans, who used underhanded tactics to throw the American-born player and his teammates off their game.

A projectile thrown on the court by the home club’s fans exploded, causing the combo-guard and some of his teammates slight injuries. Following the 76-63 loss to JSK, he later posted a video recording of himself on IG going down on the court clutching his leg from the mini-explosion with the words, ‘I just came here to play some basketball, ‘ accompanying his video story.

Speaking to The Big Tip Off, Dixon voiced his displeasure at the incident, feeling that such an act could only serve to hold back the game in Tunisia.

“The year is 2025. We are playing a game. The fact that people can throw an explosive on the court is absurd. It should be addressed for the sake of basketball in this country,” said Dixon. “It’s a sport at the end of the day, not war. If the people want the sport to grow, this has to be removed from the game.”

Michael Dixon Club Africain — **Michael Dixon helped lead Club Africain to consecutive finals. Pictures: Supplied**

Dixon remarked that the dark arts of JSK’s fans were back in play during Game Four. Fortunately, his team held their nerve, sealed the series 3-1 on Sunday, and secured a second straight trip to the finals.

“There was more security in the fourth game, but the crowd still threw things on the court. It was very hard to warm up and get a good sweat going,” said Dixon. “… we just found a way to win. There are 12 good players in this team. We have a good coach. We just found a way to win.”

Dixon described the Pro A as one of the toughest leagues he’s played in. “We feel good and relieved. Our goal was to make it to the final. It’s been a long three-month journey. It hasn’t been easy. The Tunisian league is very difficult. I would put it at the top in terms of the toughest leagues to play in the Arab region,” said Dixon. “The fact that we are in the final is a tribute to our hard work, determination and teamwork. I would not say I’m happy. I am content… The job is far from done. But I am glad we are here.”

Dixon says he has been happy with his performances, which contributed to the team’s success during the regular season and the semi-final playoffs. “I feel good. The only team I have lost to since I have been here is JSK at their venue – twice. I feel like I have been doing my job. My job is to be a leader. I instil positive energy in the team. …and take shots when the opportunity arises.

“We are three wins away from a championship. And three wins away from a cup championship. So, I have been doing what I am supposed do since I got here.”

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With that turbulent semi-final done and dusted, his former club, US Monastir, with which he won the 2022 Basketball Africa League (BAL), the Pro A Championship and Cup title, lies in wait.

Dixon, the MVP 2022 BAL, recalled a time he played Monastir, 3-2 winners of their semi-final battle on Wednesday against Etoile du Sahel, immediately after a family bereavement. He expressed that he only had good memories of the Blue Empire. He shared that had established good relationships with fellow Blue Empire teammates during the 2022 season.

“A few weeks ago, I had to fly back home… My mother passed away. Coming back to Tunisia, the next game was against them. I don’t think I slept at all. We did win the game…,” said Dixon. “I spoke to Firas (Liyhani) and Sekka (Radhouane Slimane) before that game. They are always going to be my friends. We did something together that will be hard to match by winning the triple-crown. I will always have a special bond with those guys.”

Michael Dixon Jr and Club Africain — **Michael Dixon Jr will face his former club, US Monastir, in the Tunisian Pro A final.**

“If we play them, great and if we don’t, that’s ok too. What matters is how we conduct ourselves and how we compete,” Dixon remarked.

In the quest for a fifth Pro A title and a maiden qualification for the BAL, Club Africain and its fans will require Dixon’s business-like demeanour and approach in the best-of-five finals series. Having done the job for Monastir, confidence is probably high that a player of Dixon’s calibre can provide the key to unlocking the door to making history for Lefriki.

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Abada chasing domestic glory with Club Africain

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TUNISIAN virtuoso floor general Omar Abada returned home a year ago after spending two years in the Middle East, after being on what you could call a basketball pilgrimage. The point guard says those years spent between Saudi Arabia and Syria helped refine his game.

Abada, who joined the ambitious Club Africain last year, departed Tunisia after his then star-studded US Monastir team succumbed to an equally strong Zamalek in the inaugural Basketball Africa League final in 2021.

The quintessential point guard says the move to Al-Ittihad Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Al Wahda Damascus (Syria) was worth it for his career. He believes what he learnt in the Middle East has put him in a position to help Club Africain compete at home and qualify for continental competition.

“I enjoyed my experiences (in Saudi Arabia and Syria). I don’t regret the choice to play over there,” said the 31-year-old, speaking to The Big Tip Off. “There are aspects of my game that I wanted to improve on. Those two seasons away were crucial for my growth.

“I am the type of player who is never satisfied. I always want to do better. Any team I play for I must do a good job for them.”

Omar Abada in action for Club Africain — **Omar Abada says Club Africain has learnt from last season’s Championnat A finals mistakes. Pictures: Club Africain**

The two-time AfroBasket winner has since returned to Tunisia. He gave the reasons for returning and why he preferred his current club. “There were a couple of reasons why I came back home. One of them is to win the league and to qualify for the BAL,” said the Tunisian international. “I liked what their board presented to me. I could feel that they were motivated and wanted to win, that’s why I signed with them.”

Four-time league champion Abada and Club Africain came close to winning the Championnat A last season, but US Monastir stood in their way. He recalled the 3-2 Championnat A finals loss to the 2022 BAL champions.

“It was a very competitive final. Homecourt advantage was key. It was painful to lose the final after a five-game series. We gave it everything, but this is sport and only one team wins,” said Abada.

Club Africain, four-time league champions, is again in the throes of the playoffs and likely to compete in the domestic finals again. Abada is confident about the team’s title charge. He feels the lessons from the past and the arrival of new players have improved the club’s chances this year.

“We have a big chance to win the league this season. We have learnt from the mistakes we made in last year’s finals. Our roster has improved with the imports brought in and moves made locally,” said Abada.

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The signings Abada referred to are Montenegro big man Gligorije Rakocevic, who has played continental basketball in Europe for Mornar Bar and point Michael Dixon Jr, a BAL champion and MVP with US Monastir.

Al Lfriki also brought in former youth international Mohamed Selmi, who played for Tunisia at the 2016 U18 AfroBasket. The Seward County Saints player was a 2014 Basketball Without Borders All-Star and three-points champion.

Abada says the trio are part of a “special group of players.”

“We have great talents in the team and definitely a lot of quality. We are like a family. That is what makes us a special group of players,” said Abada.

On the day of the interview with Abada, Club Africain had a 5-1 record in the playoffs and stretched their record with another victory over DS Grombalia. Abada scored 12 points and had three assists in his club’s emphatic 96-48 win on Saturday. Before the match, he said winning on their opposition’s home court helped the team’s momentum.

“We have five wins in a row. A win will be good for our momentum because we have an objective. We have to play our best basketball to reach it. It is what we have been doing since the beginning of the season and it is what we are doing now in the playoffs,” said Abada.

Omar Abada in action of Club Africain — **Omar Abada believes three teams have a shot at the Championnat A title.**

US Monastir, his former employer, has been a dominant force in the last league for six years. This year again Monastir is among the contenders for the coveted Championnat A title. Can Abada and his teammates end the Blue Empire’s rampage?

Entering the final year of his contract, Abada expressed his determination to win while wearing Club Africain’s red and white striped jersey. However, he acknowledged there are at least three contenders in the race.

“Club Africain, US Monastir and JS Kairouan… We are all in. We all have a shot at the title,” said Abada. “It is a crucial season for the team and I. We have set ourselves a goal. We must play our best basketball to reach it.”

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