Get ready for some thrilling showdowns as we enter the home stretch of Season 4 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). After a month of intense competition, let's discuss the qualified teams that will go to battle for the African club crown...
Last Updated on
May 24, 2024
Get ready for some thrilling showdowns as we enter the home stretch of Season 4 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). After a month of intense competition, let's delve into the qualified teams that will vie for the African club crown:
In the South Africa-based Kalahari Conference, FUS Rabat (Morocco) secured an impressive qualification with a leading 3-1 record, largely driven by the standout performances by Johnathan Devanate Jordan.
Petro de Luanda (Angola) fought tooth and nail to secure their postseason berth, finally clinching it with a 2-2 record. Their second-to-last game of the season was a turning point, with a nail-biting 89-86 win against FUS. Jordan's stellar performance, contributing 18 points, six rebounds, and four assists while shooting 57.1% from beyond the arc, was instrumental in their success.
Cape Town Tigers (South Africa) clinched a playoff spot, securing the best third position by default following Dynamo's exit from the tournament due to refusing to comply with the league’s rules governing jersey and uniform requirements. This unexpected turn of events and their shock 84-78 against Petro allowed the South Africa club to secure a spot in the playoffs.
In the fiercely competitive Nile Conference, favourites Al Ahly Sporting Club (Egypt) and Al Ahly Ly (Libya) lived up to their top billing, securing their respective spots in the 2024 Basketball Africa League playoffs.
Al Ahly Ly standout, Ehab Amin Saleh has been instrumental in their success, showcasing his skills with an impressive averages of 13.5 points, 1.7 steals, and six rebounds during the regular season.
Al Ahly Sporting Club were led by the seasoned African-American shooting guard, Kevin Marquis Murphy. The former Utah Jazz has been a beacon of experience and leadership for the Egyptian club, concluding the regular season with impressive averages of 18.5 points, four rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
The Sahara Conference, which recently concluded with intense competition in Dakar, produced three standout teams that qualified for the 2024 BAL postseason.
Leading the pack is Rivers Hoopers from Nigeria, who showcased their experiences, finishing with a 4-2 record. Joining them is AS Douanes of Senegal, whose resilience was led by veteran Harouna Amadou Abdoulaye.
Lastly, US Monastir from Tunisia earned their place in the playoffs by clinching the best third-place position, thanks to their strong finish and critical wins in the latter stages of the conference.
If we were to compile a list of favourites for the 2024 Basketball Africa League playoffs, last season's champions, Al Ahly from Cairo, would undoubtedly top it. Their trio of Ehab Amin, Omar Oraby, and Amr Gendy is determined to defend their title at all costs. They showcased their dominance in the Nile Conference, suffering only one unexpected defeat to the bottom-of-the-table City Oilers in a shocking 82-81 loss.
In Kigali, all eyes will be on Amr Gendy, notably the formidable Omar Oraby, a force in the paint. Additionally, FUS Rabat, who qualified after a hard-fought battle in Pretoria, will be a team to watch. Malian superstar Aliou Diarra, who demonstrated his immense talent last season and was named the best defender of Season 3, will be crucial to their success.
Al Ahly from Libya also boasts a roster of outstanding players. Solo Diabate including young star Lual Acuil, can cause significant problems for their playoff opponents if they are in top form. Notably, Lual Acuil set a new BAL single-game scoring record with an impressive 42 points against the City Oilers during their dominant 110-78 win.
Rivers Hoopers surprised observers during the Sahara Conference by clinching the top spot in the group, showcasing the talents of young player Devine Eke, whose exceptional skills shone brightly. Will the Nigerian club continue to impress with their formidable physical style of play?
Initially dismissed after three consecutive losses in the Sahara Conference, AS Monastir staged a remarkable comeback, winning their last three games of the regular season and securing the best third position.
Senegalese club, AS Douanes delighted their fans by clinching qualification on the final day. However, their performance fluctuated significantly throughout the season, displaying inconsistency. The question of whether they can replicate their success from last season and make it to the finals remains uncertain, adding an element of suspense to their journey.
As for the Cape Town Tigers, unless they receive divine intervention, their chances of advancing past the first round of the playoffs seem slim. Nonetheless, they benefitted from luck, securing qualification as the best third team at the expense of Bangui, thanks to goal average.
One unfortunate aspect of the postseason is the absence of a Rwandan club. Despite a promising start to the season, APR was eliminated during the Sahara Conference, a disappointing turn of events for the team and its fans.
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