ABIDJAN (Cote d'Ivoire) - Clubs from various countries across the continent are gearing up for the increasingly competitive Road to BAL.
The qualification for the next 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL), dubbed Road to BAL, is scheduled to run from October 17 to December 2020.
As we write, bids to host regional Road to BAL tournaments are underway.
FIBA Africa examines teams that have won their national championships and could potentially qualify for the Road to BAL tournament.
Benin
In August, Elan Coton secured their fourth consecutive championship. The club from the capital city of Benin, Cotonou, beat ASPAC to be crowned national champions. If they register, this will be their third appearance in the Road to BAL.
Botswana
The Dolphins Basketball Club has just won its fifth Botswana Basketball League trophy, beating rivals Botswana Police 2–0 in the final of a best-of-three series. This could be the Dolphins' third appearance in the Road to BAL tournament, having previously competed in 2019 and 2023.
Burundi
Dynamo earned the right to enter the Road to BAL for the second time after winning a fourth Viva League Basketball trophy. They overcame their rivals Urunani in a seven-game series, winning 4–3.
Cameroon
BEAC, who are coached by former Indomitable Lions player Kevin Ngwesse, have won their seventh national title. BEAC beat four-time champions FAP in the final of the national championship in September.
Côte d'Ivoire
Under the guidance of the legendary Stéphane Konaté, JCA won both the Ligue d'Or and the National Cup. JCA beat Société Omnisports des Armées (SOA) 2–0 in the best-of-three Ligue d'Or series.
Kenya
Nairobi City Thunder finished their season by winning their second championship, achieving another unbeaten run. They beat Kenya Ports Authority 3–0 in the best-of-five series. Having successfully made their debut in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) last year and experienced the competition first-hand, the Thunder will be eager to return.
Libya
Al Ahli Benghazi, the 2024 BAL finalists, are returning to the Road to BAL after triumphing in the Libyan Basketball League. The Benghazi-based club secured a 3-0 victory against this year's BAL champions, Al Ahli Tripoli, in the domestic league finals series in July.
Madagascar
The Club de la Police Nationale (COSPN) is heading to its third Basketball Africa League (BAL) after overcoming GNBC, the only Malagasy team to have made it to the BAL, in the N1 A Championship.
Malawi
Bravehearts, who are celebrating their 10th year in existence, beat Central Knights to capture a fourth national championship. Bravehearts will head to their second Road to BAL.
Mali
CRB Toumbouctou beat Road to BAL regulars Stade Malien 2-1 in the final of the Malian domestic championship in June.
Mozambique
Ferroviario da Beira won their sixth Liga Mocambicana de Basquetebol title last year. Having appeared in three Road to BAL and two BAL competitions, Beira beat Costa do Sol 2–0.
South Africa
The Johannesburg Giants are a new team in South Africa who won the national club championship last month by defeating the KwaZulu-Natal Marlins 79–76. The Giants are the fourth South African team to qualify for the Road to BAL. Pieter Prinsloo, who has been on this journey with the Cape Town Tigers, says that reaching the Basketball Africa League is a major stepping stone on the way to achieving their ultimate goal.
"Once again, we have another opportunity to showcase the talent we have as a South African basketball club. For me, it’s been five years straight winning SA club champs, every year since my return to the country and the basketball landscape in SA. The homegrown talent has kept improving over the last few years, and we’re looking at not only running through Road to BAL but competing to win the title once we get to the BAL," said Prinsloo.
Zambia
The Matero Magic secured their 12th title in February with a victory over the Army Club Green Buffaloes. This will be the Magic's fourth Road to BAL tournament.
Zimbabwe
The Basket Hounds claimed a second national title, beating the Mbare Bulls in the finals to secure another trip to the Road to BAL. Hounds are the third team from Zimbabwe to make the trip to the Road to BAL.
FIBA