PRAIA (Cape Verde) - Two of the four places available for the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season, which are up for grabs in the Road to BAL qualifiers, will be decided on Saturday 15 November in Praia.
After three game-days in the West Division Elite 16 in the Cape Verdean capital, Al Ahly Benghazi from Libya, CRBT from Mali, Jeuness Club d'Abidjan from the Ivory Coast, and Spintex Knights from Ghana stood tall to reach the most important day of their season.
In this article, FIBA.basketball breaks down the differences and similarities between the teams, analyses their historic matchups and x-factors, and shares the thoughts of players and coaches.
Both games will be live streamed on FIBA's Youtube channel.
Al Alhy Benghazi vs. Centre de Reference Basketball Tombouctou (18:00 GMT -1)
Ahead of the decisive semifinal matchups on Saturday, the inevitable difference between Al Ahly Benghazi and CRBT lies in each team's win-loss records.
The winner will qualify for the 2026 BAL season.
Al Ahly Benghazi shocked the African basketball establishment by finishing runners-up in the 2024 BAL season. This was their first ever BAL appearance, following a successful Road to BAL campaign.
Meanwhile, Road to BAL debutants CRBT are chasing their first BAL ticket.
The two teams are familiar with each other, having faced off in the group phase of the qualifiers in Bamako, Mali.
On 18 October, Benghazi emerged victorious with a 77–66 win over CRBT. Since then, CRBT have brought in some new players who have contributed significantly to their success in Praia, where they won two out of three games.
Al Ahly Benghazi's victory over CRBT was the Libyan champions' smallest winning margin.
Al Ahly Benghazi are heading into Saturday's match with a perfect 5–0 record, while CRBT have a 4–2 record.
Benghazi have played fewer games than CRBT in the Elite 16 following the withdrawal of New Tech Université.
Like their opponents, who signed Teotonio Do, Abdoul Coulibaly, Soliman Berthe and Aboubacar for the Elite 16, Benghazi also recruited, bringing in Marcos Wright.
Wright helped Al Ahly Tripoli finish third in the 2025 FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore in September.
They have strengthened their inside game with the signings of Alpha Kaba and Tomislav Zubcic.
Al Ahly Benghazi are coached by Ahmed Soliman, a former Olympian with the Egyptian national team who was in charge of Al Ittihad Alexandria in the last BAL season.
Meanwhile, CRBT are coached by former player Moctar Habibe from Mali.
Benghazi recorded a higher scoring rating than CRBT, with 84.5 points compared to CRBT's 73.7 points per game.
The Libyans have also achieved a higher field-goal percentage of 46%, compared to CRBT's 40%.
Sofian Hamad, a Libyan international player, has been a driving force for the Benghazi-based team, averaging 19.8 points. Meanwhile, Senegalese player Bamba Diallo has led CRBT in scoring with 16 points per game.
"This is a different scenario from our first game in Bamako. They have brought in some new players, but we will be ready for the match,' acknowledged Benghazi coach Ahmed Soliman.
"They beat us on our home court last month, but we are prepared to fight for that BAL ticket. Everyone wants to be part of the BAL because of its significance on the continent, and we'll do our best to win," said CRBT guard Mamadou Kanté.
Jeuness Club d'Abidjan vs. Spintex Knights (20:30 GMT -1)
When Jeuness Club d'Abidjan (JCA) and Spintex Knights faced off in the preliminary round in Abidjan last month, JCA emerged victorious with a score of 73–66.
While the Knights are heading to the semi-finals with a 3–2 win–loss record, JCA cruised to a perfect 6–0 record.
JCA are coached by former BAL player Stéphane Konaté, who was once named MVP of the 2005 FIBA Africa Champions Cup.
Selorm Thomas is the man at the helm of the Spintex Knights.
Jonathan Cissé, a shooting guard who joined the team for the Elite 16, has provided the Ivorians with some much-needed spark, hitting some clinical shots.
James Amotoe, a guard with incredible athleticism and the ability to shoot from outside and attack the rim, is the go-to player for the Ghanaian team, which aims to become the first club from the country to qualify for the BAL.
In terms of shooting, JCA had a higher field-goal success rate, shooting at 42% compared to Spintex's 37%.
The Ivorian champions averaged 77 points per game, compared to the Spintex Knights' 66.
FIBA