2026 BAL qualification

2026 BAL qualification
Association	FIBA Africa
League	Road to BAL
Sport	Basketball
Duration	17 October – 22 November 2025
Teams	25
West Division
Division champions	Al Ahly Ly (1st division title)
Top scorer	James Amotoe (Spintex Knights)
East Division
Division champions	Nairobi City Thunder (2nd division title)
Top scorer	Raphiael Putney Dar City
Seasons
← 2025 2027 →

The qualification for the 2026 BAL season, also known as Road to BAL 2026, were the qualifying tournaments for the sixth season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The tournaments were organised by FIBA Africa.

The competition began on 17 October and ended in 22 November 2025.^[1]

Teams

The official list of teams were announced by FIBA on 3 October 2025.^[1][2]

Dynamo was supposed to represent Burundi as national champions, however, it was not able to meet the deadlines, including the pending suspension after their withdrawal from the 2024 BAL season, which occurred after the Burundian government disallowed the team to wear the Rwandan sponsor, following political tensions between the two nations.^[3][4][5]

West Division

Association	Team	Qualification method	Ref.
Entered in Elite 16
Cape Verde	Kriol Star
Entered in first round
Benin	Elan Coton	2025 Benin Basketball Super League champions	[6]
Burkina Faso	AS Douanes	2025 Burkinabé Men's Basketball Championship champions	[7]
Central African Republic	New Tech Bantou
DR Congo	New Generation
Ivory Coast	JCA	2025 Ligue d'Or champions	[8]
Gabon	Moanda	2025 Gabonese Basketball Cup champions	[9]
Ghana	Spintex Knights	2025 Accra Basketball League champions	[10]
Guinea	Centre Fédéral de Guinée
Mali	CRB Tombouctou	2025 Ligue 1 champions	[11]
Liberia	LPRC Oilers	2024–25 LFA First Division
Libya	Al Ahly Ly	2024–25 Libyan Division I Basketball League	[12]

East Division

Association	Team	Qualification method	Ref.
Entered in Elite 16
Kenya	Nairobi City Thunder	2024–25 KBF Premier League champions	[13]
Cameroon	BEAC	2024–25 Elite Messieurs champions	[14]
Entered in first round
Uganda	Namuwongo Blazers	1st ranked team in 2025 NBL Uganda[a]
Botswana	Dolphins	2025 Botswana Basketball League champions	[16]
Burundi	Dynamo	2025 Burundian Basketball Championship	[17]
Comoros	Djabal
Mozambique	Ferroviário da Beira	2024 Liga Moçambicana de Basquetebol champions	[18]
Madagascar	COSPN	2025 N1A champions	[19]
Malawi	Bravehearts	2025 BASMAL National Championship champions	[20]
South Africa	Johannesburg Giants	2025 South African National Basketball Championship champions	[21]
Tanzania	Dar City	2024 National Basketball League champions	[22]
Zambia	Matero Magic	2024–25 Zambia Basketball League champions	[23]
Zimbabwe	Basket Hounds	2025 BUZ National Championship champions	[24]

First round

The group stage began on 17 October and ended on 29 October. The venues for each group were announced on 15 October 2025.^[25]

West Division

Group A

Venue: Bamako, Mali

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Al Ahly Ly	3	3	0	251	197	+54	6	Advance to Elite 16
2	CRB Tombouctou (H)	3	2	1	203	182	+21	5
3	Centre Fédéral de Guinée	3	1	2	177	223	−46	4
4	AS Douanes Ouagadougou	3	0	3	186	215	−29	3

Source: FIBA
(H) Hosts

Group B

Venue: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Jeunesse Club d'Abidjan (H)	3	3	0	218	152	+66	6	Advance to Elite 16
2	Spintex Knights	3	2	1	197	184	+13	5
3	Elan Coton	3	1	2	167	201	−34	4
4	LPRC Oilers	3	0	3	174	219	−45	3

Source: FIBA
(H) Hosts

Group C

Venue: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Moanda	2	2	0	158	143	+15	4	Advance to Elite 16
2	New Generation (H)	2	1	1	146	143	+3	3
3	New Tech Bantou	2	0	2	146	164	−18	2

Source: FIBA
(H) Hosts

Ranking of third-placed teams

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	New Tech Bantou	2	0	2	146	164	−18	2	Advance to Elite 16
2	Elan Coton	2	0	2	92	132	−40	2
3	Centre Fédéral de Guinée	2	0	2	111	162	−51	2	Eliminated

Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: FIBA

East Division

Group D

Venue: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Dar City (H)	2	2	0	185	120	+65	4	Advance to Elite 16
2	Namuwongo Blazers	2	1	1	202	141	+61	3
3	Djabal	2	0	2	108	234	−126	2

Source: FIBA
(H) Hosts

Group E

Venue: Lusaka, Zambia

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Johannesburg Giants	5	5	0	362	280	+82	10	Advance to Elite 16
2	Ferroviário da Beira	5	4	1	432	378	+54	9
3	Matero Magic (H)	5	3	2	383	280	+103	8
4	Bravehearts	5	2	3	346	354	−8	7
5	Dolphins	5	1	4	309	333	−24	6
6	Basket Hounds	5	0	5	342	442	−100	5

Source: FIBA, FIBA Report
(H) Hosts

Elite 16

On 31 October 2025, Nairobi, Kenya and Praia, Cape Verde were announced as host venues.^[26]

West Division

New Tech Bantou withdrew after it failed to travel to Praia in time.^[27]

Group A

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Jeunesse Club d'Abidjan	3	3	0	239	203	+36	6	Advance to final round
2	CRB Tombouctou	3	2	1	239	240	−1	5
3	New Generation	3	1	2	198	225	−27	4
4	Kriol Star (H)	3	0	3	255	263	−8	3

Source: FIBA
(H) Hosts

Group B

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Al Ahly Ly	2	2	0	177	131	+46	4	Advance to final round
2	Spintex Knights	2	1	1	134	157	−23	3
3	Moanda	2	0	2	137	160	−23	2
4	New Tech Bantou	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Withdrew

Source: FIBA

Final round

	Semi-finals				Final
	JCA Abidjan	93
	Spintex Knights	82
					JCA Abidjan	92
					Al Ahly Ly	105
	Al Ahly Ly	103
	CRB Tombouctou	76
					Third place game
					Spintex Knights	64
					CRB Tombouctou	90

Semi-finals

JCA Abidjan v Spintex Knights

15 Nov 2025	JCA Abidjan	93–82	Spintex Knights	Praia, Cape Verde
20:30 (GMT-1)	Scoring by quarter: 19–20, 22–17, 22–18, 30–27
	Pts: Nuga 27 Rebs: Yayo 8 Asts: Cisse 3	Boxscore	Pts: Amotoe 24 Rebs: Bassey, Oumar, Yakubu 7 Asts: Opoku-Tham 2	Arena: Pavilhão Desportivo Vavá Duarte Attendance: 231

Al Ahly Ly v CRB Tombouctou

15 Nov 2025	Al Ahly Ly	103–76	CRB Tombouctou	Praia, Cape Verde
18:00 (GMT-1)	Scoring by quarter: 27–10, 25–24, 34–14, 17–28
	Pts: Jordan 20 Rebs: Zubčić, Sadi 10 Asts: Bile, Sadi, Jordan 3	Boxscore	Pts: B. Diallo 17 Rebs: Dó, Fall 7 Asts: Kaba, Toure, Fall 3	Arena: Pavilhão Desportivo Vavá Duarte Attendance: 430

Third place game

Spintex Knights v CRB Tombouctou

16 Nov 2025	Spintex Knights	64–90	CRB Tombouctou	Praia, Cape Verde
18:00 (GMT-1)	Scoring by quarter: 21–15, 15–26, 19–24, 9–25
	Pts: Amotoe 19 Rebs: Oumar 11 Asts: Amotoe 4	Boxscore	Pts: Coulibaly 19 Rebs: Coulibaly 14 Asts: Fofana 6	Arena: Pavilhão Desportivo Vavá Duarte Attendance: 250

Final

JCA Abidjan v Al Ahly Ly

16 Nov 2025	JCA Abidjan	92–105	Al Ahly Ly	Praia, Cape Verde
20:30 (GMT-1)	Scoring by quarter: 22–34, 24–26, 23–28, 23–17
	Pts: Cisse 27 Rebs: Yayo 10 Asts: Cisse 5	Boxscore	Pts: Zubčić 24 Rebs: Hamad 7 Asts: Jordan 5	Arena: Pavilhão Desportivo Vavá Duarte Attendance: 254

East Division

Group A

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Nairobi City Thunder (H)	2	2	0	175	145	+30	4	Advance to final round
2	Johannesburg Giants	2	1	1	175	157	+18	3
3	Namuwongo Blazers	2	0	2	133	181	−48	2

Source: FIBA
(H) Hosts

Group B

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts	Qualification
1	Dar City	3	3	0	265	231	+34	6	Advance to final round
2	Ferroviário da Beira	3	2	1	245	240	+5	5
3	Matero Magic	3	1	2	243	245	−2	4
4	Bravehearts	3	0	3	212	249	−37	3

Source: FIBA

Final round

	Semi-finals				Final
	Nairobi City Thunder	109
	Ferroviário da Beira	70
					Nairobi City Thunder	94
					Johannesburg Giants	84
	Dar City	69
	Johannesburg Giants	71
					Third place game
					Ferroviário da Beira	77
					Dar City	92

Semifinals

Nairobi City Thunder v Ferroviário da Beira

22 Nov 2025	Nairobi City Thunder	109–70	Ferroviário da Beira	Nairobi, Kenya
19:00 (GMT+3)	Scoring by quarter: 22–12, 30–20, 31–16, 26–22
	Pts: A. Adera 32 Rebs: Majok 9 Asts: E. Adera 10	Boxscore	Pts: Nurmamade, Drame 13 Rebs: Drame 7 Asts: Munguambe 4	Arena: Kasarani Indoor Arena Attendance: 5,129

Dar City v Johannesburg Giants

22 Nov 2025	Dar City	69–71	Johannesburg Giants	Nairobi, Kenya
16:30 (GMT+3)	Scoring by quarter: 21–13, 18–21, 14–20, 16–17
	Pts: Zouzoua 25 Rebs: Deng 13 Asts: Diabate 8	Boxscore	Pts: Dim 21 Rebs: Prinsloo 14 Asts: Dim 4	Arena: Kasarani Indoor Arena Attendance: 1,500

Third place game

Ferroviário da Beira v Dar City

23 Nov 2025	Ferroviário da Beira	77–92	Dar City	Nairobi, Kenya
15:30 (GMT+3)	Scoring by quarter: 12–27, 19–23, 25–19, 21–23
	Pts: Thomas, Ubisse 16 Rebs: Munguambe 7 Asts: Nurmamade, Bouchum, Munguambe 3	Boxscore	Pts: Putney 28 Rebs: Putney, Thabeet 8 Asts: Diabate 14	Arena: Kasarani Indoor Arena

Final

Nairobi City Thunder v Johannesburg Giants

22 Nov 2025	Nairobi City Thunder	94–84	Johannesburg Giants	Nairobi, Kenya
18:00 (GMT+3)	Scoring by quarter: 28–17, 22–21, 33–23, 11–23
	Pts: Majok, Ongwae 17 Rebs: E. Adera 12 Asts: E. Adera 8	Boxscore	Pts: Deing 21 Rebs: Sibanyoni 11 Asts: 5 tied 2	Arena: Kasarani Indoor Arena Attendance: 5,423

Notes

1. The FUBA initially nominated 2024 NBL champions City Oilers as representative, however, Nam Blazers successfully protested the decision, and was given the spot based on its first place in the regular season of the 2025 season.^[15]

References

1. "African clubs lining up for the marathon journey to the 2025 Road to BAL". www.fiba.basketball. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
2. "Teams List - FIBA Africa Champions Clubs ROAD TO B.A.L 2026". www.fiba.basketball. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
3. "Burundi's Dynamo exit Basketball Africa League over jersey row". Reuters. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
4. "Burundi's Dynamo BC out of BAL over Visit Rwanda protest". ESPN.com. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
5. Sikubwabo, Damas (14 October 2025). "Burundi's Dynamo BBC withdraws from 2026 "Road to BAL"". The New Times. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
6. "African Basketball News, Scores, Stats, Analysis, Standings". www.afrobasket.com. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
7. "AS Douanes are the new champions of Burkina Faso". www.afrobasket.com. 21 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
8. GONLI, Donald (10 May 2025). "Basket-ball: La JCA double champion de Côte d'Ivoire grâce à un coaching gagnant de Stéphane Konaté". www.linfodrome.com. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
9. "Basketball : Tandem et Moanda s'offrent la Coupe du Gabon et prennent la route des préliminaires de la BAL". AFC Sports (in French). 10 August 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
10. "Spintex Knights drafted in 2026 Basketball Africa League Qualifiers Group B". news.ghheadlines.com. October 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
11. "History Made!". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
12. "Al Ahly Benghazi are Libya Basketball League champions!". www.afrobasket.com. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
13. "City Thunder, KPA crowned KNBL champions". Citizen Digital. 14 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
14. "BEAC celebrate 2025 title!". www.afrobasket.com. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
15. Baluku, Chrispus (1 October 2025). "Namuwongo Blazers confirm participation in Road to BAL 2026 qualifiers". New Vision. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
16. "African clubs lining up for the marathon journey to the 2025 Road to BAL". www.fiba.basketball. 2 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
17. "VBL – Playoffs Finals : Urunani BBC de Jean-Jacques Boissy est champion du Burundi !" (in French). 29 September 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
18. "Ferroviário da Beira conquista sexto título de campeão nacional de basquetebol masculino". lance.co.mz (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 September 2025.
19. "Le COSPN sacré champion de Madagascar". 2424.mg - L'actualité à Madagascar en temps réel (in French). 14 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
20. "ElevateTheGame: Bravehearts win CDH basketball tourney". Malawi Institute of Journalism. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
21. "Johannesburg Giants crowned the 2025 South African champions". www.fiba.basketball. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
22. "Dar City outshine ABC to win National Basketball League title". The Citizen. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
23. "Matero Magic, Lusaka Queens retain ZBF titles". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
24. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
25. "Everything you need to know about the 2026 Road to BAL". www.fiba.basketball. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
26. "Nairobi and Praia to host the 2026 Road to BAL Elite 16 tournaments". www.fiba.basketball. 31 October 2025. Retrieved 2 November 2025.
27. "New Tech Universite withdraw from the 2026 Road to BAL West Division Elite 16". www.fiba.basketball. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 13 November 2025.