KINSHASA (DR Congo) – Gabon’s Moanda BB secured their place in the Elite 16 of the 2026 Road to BAL with an 85–76 victory over Central African Republic's New Tech Bantou.
Cédric Tsangue Kenfack and his teammates are returning to the Elite 16, but, unlike last year, they earned their place through their performance on the court. A year ago they fell short in the Group Phase but received a wild card for the next round.
This was their second consecutive victory in the preliminary phase, following their opening win against ASB New Generation.
Despite a slow start, trailing by as many as seven points (27–20) in the opening quarter, the Gabonese side secured victory thanks to a balanced attack featuring five players scoring in double figures.
However, a stunning 20–11 run in the second quarter turned things around. Once they found their rhythm, Moanda BB maintained control throughout to claim a nine-point win (85–76).
TURNING POINT: Although New Tech Bantou led after the first quarter, it took a few key baskets from Omar Siby and Dean Axel Bezazouma to spark Moanda’s comeback.
Kenfack brought his team within three points midway through the second period (32–29), and Warene Moundounga-Moumbeki levelled the score at 36–36 two minutes before half-time.
Andre Reverend Bonazebi Kiminou then scored with 24 seconds left to give Moanda BB the lead for the first time (40–38).
New Tech briefly regained control (51–50) with a three-pointer from Yasser Billy Bertin Kamayengue, but Dolivitch Moupomo and Désiré Victoire Mouzita Mboukou quickly restored Moanda BB's lead (55–51).
From there, Moanda BB comfortably stayed in front and sealed their well-deserved spot in the Elite 16.
HEROES: Moanda BB were ready for the challenge. Five players finished with double-digit points.
Mouzita Mboukou led the way with 16 points and 9 rebounds, followed by Nel Biyogho Liyatou (12 points, 1 rebound), Axel Bezazouma (11 points, 1 rebound), Kiminou (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Moundounga-Moumbeki (10 points, 3 rebounds).
Meanwhile, Valentin Junior Lele’s 28 points weren’t enough to prevent the Central Africans from losing.
STATS DON’T LIE: Moanda BB's ball movement was key, with the team finishing with 17 assists. Omar Sidy provided four of these, while Kenfack and Jolivet Knolh Nguyabama combined for six more, helping to maintain the flow of the offence.
Add to that 44 points in the paint, 13 second-chance points, 13 fast-break points and a dominant rebounding margin of 56–36, and you have the formula for Moanda's success.
BOTTOM LINE: Moanda BB has returned to the Elite 16 for the second time in the club's history, this time as a direct qualifier.
However, if they are to remain competitive and push for a spot in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), they will need to improve in a few areas, starting with their three-point shooting.
They only converted 9 out of 28 attempts from beyond the arc — a weakness they’ll need to address.
FIBA