BAL 2025: eight teams chase the title at the Final 8 in South Africa
The BAL 2025 Final 8 gets under way on Friday and runs until 14 June 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa
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Petro de Luanda (Angola), Al Ahli Tripoli (Libya), Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR, Rwanda), Kriol Star (Cape Verde), US Monastir (Tunisia), Al Ittihad Alexandria (Egypt), FUS Rabat (Morocco) and Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria): these are the eight teams who start the race for the BAL 2025 title on Friday. The Final 8, which runs from 6 to 14 June in Pretoria, South Africa, will keep African basketball on the edge of its seat as it decides who will be champion.
Petro Luanda and US Monastir going for history
One pattern has held since the 1st edition of the BAL: in four editions, there have been four different winners. Zamalek (2021), US Monastir (2022), Al Ahly (2023) and Petro Luanda (2024). Of those past champions, only Petro Luanda and US Monastir are still in the running. The Angolans and the Tunisians can therefore hope to become the first side to win the title twice.
Petro Luanda, the defending champions, are also among the most consistent teams, having reached the Final 8 five times in five editions, just like US Monastir. The two sides will therefore be the ones to beat in the race for the title. Among the other favourites, FUS Rabat and Rivers Hoopers are set to play in their 2nd consecutive Final 8.
Four newcomers chasing immortality
Alongside the heavyweights and favourites, four other clubs, newcomers at this stage of the competition, complete the Final 8 line-up for this BAL 2025. APR of Rwanda, Al Ittihad Alexandria of Egypt, Al Ahli Tripoli of Libya and Kriol Star of Cape Verde will be the new names in the race for the title.
Read also: BAL 2025: Al Ahli SC set a points record
Whoever wins this BAL will make history, as it will mean either a team winning a second title or lifting the trophy for the first time. Eight days of guaranteed entertainment await in South Africa. The opening game on Friday pits Kriol Star against FUS Rabat.