BAL 2025: ASCVD's hopes dashed as Monastir and Luanda book Kigali places

The Sahara Conference of the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) wrapped up on Sunday night in a sweltering Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal. After six rounds of games, Tunisia's US Monastir and Angola's Petro de Luanda secured their places in the finals phase in Rwanda. But the real shock came from Cape Verde: Kriol Star, newcomers at this level, finished 3rd and still have a chance of reaching the playoffs. ASC Ville de Dakar, despite the backing of their home crowd, exit the competition with a whimper.

Read also: BAL 2025: the suspense is total in the Sahara Conference

Monastir take charge, Luanda limit the damage

BAL champions in 2022, US Monastir rediscovered their best form by finishing top of the Conference with 4 wins and 2 defeats. Driven by a solid team display and a double-double from Babacar Sané (13 pts, 12 rebounds in the final game), the Tunisian side leaned on their experience. In their closing game, they took revenge on ASC Ville de Dakar, who had beaten them on the very first day, winning 77-68 this time.

Petro de Luanda, among the favourites at the start, proved more inconsistent. Winners of their first three games, the Angolan club faltered late on, notably against Cape Verdean surprise package Kriol Star, in a shock result (69-71). But with a balanced record (3 wins and 3 defeats), Petro still confirmed their direct qualification for Kigali.

Kriol Star, the Cape Verdean surprise package

Barely known before the tournament, Kriol Star defied the predictions. With a dynamic style of play, great mental strength and a well-organised defence, the Cape Verdean club climbed to 3rd place, pipping ASCVD at the post. Their win over Luanda on the final day proved decisive.

With the same record as Petro (3 wins and 3 defeats) but a poorer points difference, the Cape Verdeans missed out on direct qualification. However, they can still hope to reach the playoffs as the best third-placed side, pending the results of the Nile Conference, which starts on 17 May in Kigali.

ASC Ville de Dakar, a bitter failure on home soil

ASC Ville de Dakar, the only team in the Conference playing at home, failed to capitalise on that advantage. Just two wins in six games: a record too poor to hope for anything but elimination. Despite ambitious recruitment and the presence of talents such as Will Perry (20 points, 7 assists against Monastir) and Makhtar Gueye (18 points, 11 rebounds), the Dakar side never found the right formula, despite a promising start.

The final game, decisive against Monastir, confirmed the team's shortcomings. After an evenly matched first quarter (16-15), ASCVD gradually let the game slip, unable to match the Tunisians' intensity. The defeat (68-77) sealed the Senegalese side's fate, and they leave the competition with a whimper.

A BAL committed on the court… and beyond

Beyond the sporting results, the BAL used its stop in Dakar to leave its mark through a social commitment. In partnership with the City of Dakar, a brand-new basketball court was inaugurated in Yoff, as part of the NBA Africa project to build 1,000 courts across the continent.

“This court is a symbol of hope for our young people”, said Mouhamed Diop, secretary general of the City of Dakar. Alongside him, the mayor of Yoff, Seydina Issa Laye Samb, praised “an initiative that brings social development and cohesion”. Present at the event, Clare Akamanzi, head of NBA Africa, reminded the audience that sport should be “a vehicle for change and education”.

Straight afterwards, the BAL also held a health awareness workshop with the NGO Speak Up Africa, underlining once again that its project goes beyond pure sport.

Final standings of the Sahara Conference

1. US Monastir (4 wins - 2 defeats)
2. Petro de Luanda (3 wins - 3 defeats)
3. Kriol Star (3 wins - 3 defeats)
4. ASC Ville de Dakar (2 wins - 4 defeats)