ABIDJAN (Côte d’Ivoire) – The Centre de Référence de Basketbal de Tombouctou (CRBT) has achieved one of the most impressive breakthroughs in recent Malian basketball history.
Hailing from northern Mali, they won their first national championship title in July 2025, defeating the long-established powerhouse of Malian basketball, Stade Malien de Bamako.
This success came just two years after the CRBT's promotion to the top division, confirming their rapid ascent to the country's basketball elite.
The championship final series went the full distance, being decided after five games. CRBT prevailed 3–2, securing a 50–47 victory in the decisive Game 5.
It was a tense and physical contest, with defence and discipline proving pivotal. This historic victory was a significant moment for Tombouctou and Malian sport.
The team’s success also highlights the work of head coach Habib Moctar, a young tactician from Tombouctou who guided his side to the national title in only his second season in charge.
Having led CRBT into the top flight, Moctar has built a disciplined and competitive team capable of challenging the traditional giants of Malian basketball. His approach emphasises collective effort, structure and mental strength — key factors in the club’s historic campaign.
As they prepare to face some of West Africa’s most talented teams, they are poised to make more history.
Here is some key information about Mali’s representative in the West Division Elite 16.
Road to BAL journey
Following their domestic triumph, CRBT represented Mali in the Road to BAL 2026 qualifiers, finishing the group phase with two wins and one loss.
They began their campaign with a convincing 63–54 victory over AS Douanes of Burkina Faso, displaying the same defensive intensity that characterised their national title run. In their second match, CRBT faced Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya.
Despite determined efforts and strong performances from their key players, the Malian champions lost 77–66 in a closely contested match.
They responded in convincing fashion in their final game, however, defeating Centre Fédéral de Guinée 74–51.
This result confirmed their 2–1 record and qualification for the Elite 16 Division West, keeping their hopes of reaching the 2026 Basketball Africa League Regular Season alive.
Throughout the qualifiers, CRBT demonstrated the same consistency and team chemistry that had carried them to the top domestically. Their performances reflected a growing maturity and an ability to adapt to a higher level of competition outside Mali.
Key players
CRBT’s campaign was driven by a balanced group of players, some of whom were experienced and had a significant impact.
Senegal's Samba Dali Fall was the team’s top scorer, averaging 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game. His 22-point performance against Al Ahly Benghazi was one of the best individual displays of the tournament.
Another key offensive contributor was fellow Senegalese guard Bamba Diallo, who averaged 13.7 points per game. He delivered his best performance against Centre Fédéral de Guinée, scoring 26 points in a decisive victory that secured CRBT’s qualification.
Inside the paint, Binaly Touré played a vital role as the team’s main rebounder. He averaged 8.3 rebounds per game and collected 12 boards against Al Ahly Benghazi, consistently helping his team control possession and tempo.
Veteran guard Mahamadou Kanté, a former Mali national team player, provided leadership and playmaking experience. He led CRBT in assists with 4.3 per game, dished out 9 assists against Centre Fédéral de Guinée, and recorded 4 steals versus AS Douanes. His contribution on both ends of the floor was crucial to the team’s balance and competitiveness.
Head coach
Habib Moctar, one of the most promising young coaches in Malian basketball, is at the centre of CRBT’s success.
His journey is unique: he led the club from the lower divisions to the national championship within two years.
His focus on tactical structure, defensive discipline and player development has been pivotal in CRBT’s rise to prominence. His leadership has also brought new attention to the basketball scene in northern Mali.
Upcoming opponents
CRBT will now compete in the Elite 16 Division West, where they will face Kriol Stars from Cape Verde, Jeunesse Club d’Abidjan from Côte d'Ivoire and AS New Generation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The top two teams from this group will advance to the 2026 Basketball Africa League.
For CRBT, this new stage is another significant challenge. Competing against some of the region’s most established clubs will provide a valuable opportunity to assess their progress and gain experience at a continental level.
Having made history at home, the Tombouctou champions now aim to demonstrate that they are among Africa’s most promising basketball programmes.
FIBA