As we head into Basketball Africa League Season 5, the competition is heating up with exciting matchups, standout performances, and the promise of more unforgettable moments. Let’s take a look at what’s happened so far and what you can expect in the coming weeks.
By Tuka Letura
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has returned for the 2025 season. This marks Season 5 of the BAL, where teams from across the African continent compete for the ultimate prize: to be crowned the continent’s best basketball club.
With two of the three conferences completed and the playoffs fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to explore the stories, team statistics, and standout moments from the already-concluded Sahara and Kalahari Conferences, and to preview what lies ahead in the Nile Conference.
Last year, in 2024, Petro de Luanda won the Basketball Africa League (BAL) championship, defeating Al Ahly in the final. After finishing second in the group stage, Petro de Luanda advanced through the quarterfinals and semifinals before ultimately claiming the top prize. In doing so, the Angolan side became the first non-North African team to win the championship.
Before diving into this season’s action, it’s important to note a significant change in the qualification format for the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL). This year, only four teams earned their spots through the Road to BAL tournament, a reduction from six in previous seasons. This shift came after eight national champions were granted automatic qualification, including fresh direct entries for South Africa and Morocco.
The journey began with 26 teams competing in five groups across two divisions, with the top teams advancing to the Elite 16. From there, 16 teams clashed in two intense groups, with the top two from each group booking their tickets to the big stage. In the end, a total of 12 teams will compete in the 2025 Basketball Africa League season: four qualifiers plus the elite eight—Nigeria, Tunisia, Angola, Senegal, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, and Rwanda.
As we head into BAL Season 5, the competition is heating up with exciting matchups, standout performances, and the promise of more unforgettable moments. Let’s take a look at what’s happened so far and what you can expect in the coming weeks.
Kalahari Conference
The Kalahari Conference was dominated by Al Ittihad Alexandria, whose flawless performance in all six of their matches set them apart. The Egyptian champions were in a class of their own from start to finish, averaging nearly 88 points per game and boasting the highest point difference in the group (+98).
Their perfect record included commanding victories over all their rivals, including a 100-point game against Rivers Hoopers, which they won 100-80. With six wins from six, they secured direct entry to the playoffs.
Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers struggled to find the same rhythm as last year, but, like Al Ittihad, they are through to the playoffs, having won every game except those against the table-toppers, Al Ittihad. South Sudanese star Madut Akec has been a key player for the Hoopers, consistently delivering standout performances.
The conference hosts, FUS Rabat, were in a middle-of-the-pack position in the group, finishing with two scores below the cutoff line for direct qualification. Despite positive results, such as their 92–72 win over Stade Malien, the Moroccan club struggled to secure victories against the group leaders. Their competitive performance initially kept them in contention for one of the two spots for the best third-placed team, but this has now been reduced to one, as the third-placed team in the Sahara Conference finished with more points.
Meanwhile, Stade Malien ended in last place among the teams that participated in the Kalahari Conference group stage, having failed to win any of their six games. Some of their most competitive matches were those with the narrowest margins, the most memorable of which was an 86–89 defeat to Nigeria.
With Egypt and Nigeria already confirmed as semi-finalists, the next phase of the Basketball Africa League 2025 looks even more exciting. What remains to be seen is the emergence of new teams that could surprise with the quality of their gameplay.
Sahara Conference
Tunisia’s US Monastir powered through to finish top of the standings in the Sahara Conference with a 4–2 record, securing their spot in the BAL Playoffs with authority. Their two losses came against Senegal’s ASC Ville De Dakar and Angola’s Petro de Luanda.
Petro de Luanda balanced their wins and losses evenly, picking up three of each, which was enough to secure second place. They defeated every team in the group once and also suffered a loss to each, marking a perfectly balanced outing.
Host team, ASC Ville de Dakar, impressed early on, but after their win against US Monastir in the opening game, they managed only one more victory, leaving them at the bottom of the group and missing out on progression.
But the breakout story of the tournament? Cabo Verde’s Kriol Star. In their debut season, they made history by becoming the first-ever team from Cabo Verde to reach the Basketball Africa League Playoffs. Their campaign was highlighted by a gritty 71–69 overtime thriller against Angolan giants Petro de Luanda, a win that not only secured their place but also eliminated a former BAL finalist in dramatic fashion.
Nile Conference
Rwanda is set to host the Nile Conference of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) for the first time. From May 17 to 25, the BK Arena in Kigali will welcome four top clubs from across the continent, all vying for a spot in the BAL playoffs.
APR Basketball, the Rwandan champions, return for their second consecutive BAL appearance following their debut in 2024. Despite missing the playoffs last season, APR have strengthened their credentials by winning both the Rwanda Cup and the 2024 national league. They now aim to capitalise on home-court advantage and make a deeper run in 2025.
They are joined by Made Ball Blue Basketball (MBB) from South Africa, who will make their BAL debut in 2025. The Johannesburg-based team earned qualification by winning the 2024 Basketball National League title. They are one of the most exciting new entrants in the competition and are definitely a team to watch closely.
From North Africa, Al Ahli Tripoli returned to the Basketball Africa League after qualifying through the Road to BAL. The Libyan champions secured their place in the 2025 season with a crucial semifinal victory over ABC Fighters in November 2024.
Nairobi City Thunder complete the group, entering the Basketball Africa League as the first Kenyan team in league history. The Thunder qualified through the Road to BAL and significantly strengthened their roster during the process, including the addition of BAL veterans Abdoulaye Harouna and Ater Majok. They sealed their qualification with a win over City Oilers in December 2024.
With all four teams hungry for playoff contention, fans can expect high-intensity matchups, tactical showdowns, and breakout performances in Kigali.
As we head deeper into BAL Season 5, the competition is shaping up nicely with teams already booking their places. So far, Al Ittihad, Rivers Hoopers, US Monastir, Petro de Luanda, and Kriol Star have secured their tickets to the 2025 Basketball Africa League Playoffs, set for June 6–14 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.
That leaves just three playoff spots up for grabs, adding extra intensity to every game in the Nile Conference. Will APR deliver in front of a home crowd? Can MBB, Al Ahli Tripoli, or Nairobi City Thunder rise to the occasion? And don’t forget FUS Rabat, who could still sneak in if the third-place team in the Nile Conference finishes with a lower win percentage.
With everything to play for, Kigali is set to be the stage where dreams are made or dashed.
Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over six years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.