Stade Malien punched their names into one of the two available BAL 2025 tickets for the West Division with an impressive win (80-89) over Kadji Sports Academy in the semi-finals. Mahamane Coulibaly came up with a game-high 19 points to help the Bamako-based outfit to victory.
Last Updated on
November 10, 2024
It was Semi Final day in Abidjan, at the Palais des Sports de Treichville. And Stade Malien secured a well-deserved spot in the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) with an 80-59 win over KSA in the Elite 16 West Division Semi-Finals. Throughout the game, Stade Malien demonstrated balance and maintaining control from start to finish and showcasing the power of their locally rooted roster.
Leading from the outset, Stade Malien built a first-quarter lead (17-14) that only grew with each quarter. With a 28-14 run in the second quarter, it was already clear that the game would be theirs, the only remaining question being about the score.
With a 17-point advantage (45-28) at half-time, Stade Malien could let off the pressure and patiently wait for the rest of the game. Back from the restrooms, they kept their momentum and capitalized on turnovers and their athletic advantage, to claim a 18-15 run by the end of the third quarter.
KSA still had that spark burning, though not too bright. But it was more than enough to scare the Blancs de Bamako, as they finished the final stretch with a 17-16 run.
Reflecting on the game, Makan Keita expressed heartfelt pride in the team’s achievement.
“Congratulations to my teammates for this win. We reached the target we set out for. We finished with four wins in as many games. Today was a crucial win for us as we wanted to qualify for the Final Phase. So we remained motivated and gave it our all.”
Keita highlighted the strong local identity of their roster, a factor he considers key to their chemistry and collective strength.
“Our strength today resided in young local players. Most of our players are locals. Even Djambo, Doucoure—they’re from Mali. It’s an advantage for us. We share everything, on and off the court. We’re like family. I’m happy about it. This spirit of camaraderie extends beyond the game, forming a core component of Stade Malien’s identity."
Despite the victory, the team remains focused on their long-term BAL objectives.
“We have some time ahead of us. But it’s all thanks to the technical staff. We’ll see how to prepare, but one thing’s for sure: we’re going to keep working hard. Our goal is to reach the final,” Keita said, reaffirming their ambitious vision.
Mahamane Coulibaly (19 points, 4 rebounds), Mohamed Pare (13 points, 4 rebounds) and Cartier Diarra (10 points, 5 rebounds), led Stade Malien in scoring, while Simon Bileg II produced a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Kenneth Kadji added 12 points in an effort that didn’t serve their ambitions.
[Photo/Imagery : Courtesy of FIBA]
