The eight teams qualified for the playoffs are Petro de Luanda (Angola), Al Ahly (Egypt), RSSB Tigers (Rwanda), Club Africain (Tunisia), Al Ahly Ly (Libya), FUS Rabat (Morocco), ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal) and Dar City (Tanzania).
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Winner in 2024, Petro Luanda is an African basketball institution. The Angolan club is distinguished by 97 points average and a strong offensive contribution. At the Kalahari Conference, Petro de Luanda finished in a tie with RSSB Tigers with four wins and one loss. The Angolans have experience of major events and go among the big favourites.
Al Ahly Tripoli, not to be confused with his Egyptian namesake, dominates the scoring with an average of 104 points per game. The defending champions are the team to beat. The Kalahari conference was marked by the historic triple-double of Damion Baugh, a player capable of making the difference alone. This Libyan club is trying to confirm the emergence of its basketball.
Winner of the BAL in 2023, Al Ahly (Egypt) validated his qualification in the best possible way. On the last day of the Sahara conference, Al Ahly beat FUS Rabat 77-71 after extra time. Les Cairotes have experience in the finals and have a well-rehearsed team.
Great revelation of this season, Club Africain is the leader of the Sahara conference. They finished the Sahara Conference in first place with four victories and one defeat. Mike Dixon, who inspired US Monastir to the 2022 BAL title, now plays for the African Club, a major asset.
The underdogs
Playing at home, in front of their BK Arena crowd, is a huge advantage. The RSSB Tigers, who will be at home, finished first in the Kalahari conference thanks to their advantage in the direct confrontation against Petro. The conference saw Craig Randall II (RSSB Tigers) score 54 points, a new competition record. With such a player on fire and the support of the Rwandan public, the Tigers are the most dangerous underdog.
FUS Rabat is a safe bet of the BAL, regular for several seasons. The Moroccan club finished the Sahara conference with 3 wins and 2 losses. The Moroccans are therefore on the lookout for an exploit in the final phase.
The Senegalese representative arrives in Kigali to surprise. Al Ahly will open the playoffs against ASC Ville de Dakar on May 22, an opening clash for the Dakar team. The goal is to do better than AS Douanes, which achieved the best Senegalese performance, with a final in 2023.
Dar City finished fourth in the Kalahari conference with two wins and three losses. Starting in BAL, this Tanzanian club represents the beautiful surprise of the season and has nothing to lose.
The program (GMT schedule)
Away leg Quarter-finals
22 May
14:00: Al Ahly (Egypt) vs ASC City of Dakar (Senegal)
5:00 pm: FUS Rabat (Morocco) vs RSSB Tigers (Rwanda)
23 May
14:00: Club Africain (Tunisia) vs Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya)
17:00: Petro de Luanda (Angola) vs Dar City (Tanzania)
Return leg of the quarterfinals
24 May
ASC City of Dakar vs Al Ahly (Egypt)
RSSB Tigers vs FUS Rabat (Morocco)
25 May
Al Ahly Benghazi vs Club Africain (Tunisia)
Dar City vs Petro de Luanda (Angola)
Semi-finals
28 May
Semi-final 1: QF1 winner vs QF4 winner
Semi-final 2: QF2 winner vs QF3 winner
Final
31 May: BK Arena, Kigali
The BAL 2026 champion will be crowned
The final ranking at the end of the two group phases is as follows:
Petro de Luanda (Angola)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
RSSB Tigers (Rwanda)
African Club (Tunisia)
Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya)
FUS Rabat (Morocco)
ASC City of Dakar (Senegal)
Dar City (Tanzania)
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À propos de l'auteur
Philemon MBALE
Rédacteur sportif
Passionné de sport depuis toujours, partage avec vous les dernières actualités et analyses du monde sportif.