NIAMEY (Niger) - The stage is set for the battle for the two slots on offer in Group of the 2022 Road to BAL at the Palais du 29 Juillet Gymnasium in the heart of Niamey, Niger.

FIBA.basketball brings you things that you need to know about the four teams competing in Group A of the 2022 Road to BAL.. 

ABIDJAN Basketball Club (Cote D'Ivoire)

The Abidjan-based outfit are the most decorated side among the four teams that will be on parade in the three-day event in Niamey.

ABC are also the most successful club in the Ivorian national league with 20 league titles, 12 Ivorian Cup and two Super Cup among their silverware collections. The team also won the now rested FIBA Africa Champions Cup in 2005.

ABC boast a mixed roster of experienced and young players. Cote d'Ivoire national team captain Stephane Konate is part of the current ABC, and will be joined by Puerto Rican Pacheco Ortie Georgie South Sudanese forward Monyyong Ruot.

Association Sportive Nigelec (Niger)

Besides being host of the Group A, The Electricians, as they are also known, have become a familiar face on the continent lately having reached the Elite 16 in the previous editions of the BAL.

The Niamey-based side are owned by the State-owned Electric Power Generating Company and are looking forward not just to reach the Elite 16, but try their luck of making it to BAL Season 3. 

Coached by Amadou Karimou, the team fortune looms largely behind the leadership quality of their veteran captain Abdrahamane Abdoulaye with the support from center Mounkaila Abdoullaziz and shooting guard Timothy Kwaor.

Elan Coton Basketball Club (Benin)

It was formerly known as Elan Sports Pro before their acquisition in January 2021 by a consortium of multi-sport outfit - Sodeco.

The Beniniose Super league champion will be out to make a statement as they make their debut in Africa top flight club competition.

Elan Coton Head Coach, Sango Gilles Kouamo will bank on experience of Romaric Quenum, a 1,93m (6ft2in) forward who can function in different departments of the game. He will supported by Nigeria international guard Michael Okiki Afuwape and another veteran in the game Arnold Yacoubou.

Stade Malien Bamako (Mali)

They are the oldest among the four teams that will be on parade from October 21 through to October 23rd at the Palais du 29 Juillet gymnasium in Niamey.

The basketball section of the Multi-sport outfit was established in 1960, though the team is not new to big occasion when it comes to African basketball having reached the final of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup twice - 1972 and 1989. They are making their debut in the Road to BAL. 

Coach Kaba Kante is banking on the team smooth run which saw them being crowned champion of Mali's domestic league, their fourth league title (2003, 2004, 2014, 2022) since their formation.

Some of the key players whom coach Kante will bank on in Niamey to help the fortunes of the team includes point guard, Makan Keita, Amine Aguib Assan Toure and Ibrahim Sevede. 

FIBA