| Organiser | FIBA Africa |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 (age 7) |
| First | 2021 |
| Confed | FIBA Africa |
| Teams | 25 (2026 season) |
| Champions | West Division: Al Ahly Ly (1st title) East Division: Nairobi City Thunder (2nd title) |
| Season | 2026 |
| Most champs | Cape Town Tigers & Nairobi City Thunder (2 titles) |
| Tv | YouTube Courtside 1891 |
| Website | Link |
| Current | 2026 BAL qualification |
The Road to BAL, also known as the BAL Qualifying Tournaments, are the qualifying tournaments of the Basketball Africa League (BAL). While the main tournament is co-organised by FIBA and the NBA, the organization of the qualifiers is completely done by FIBA. The first qualifying rounds began on 16 October 2019 during the 2021 BAL qualification.
The qualifiers are geographically divided into the West and East Division, with three teams qualifying out of each division. Semi-finals and finals are played to determine the winners of the qualifying tournaments.
History
The first BAL qualifying game was played on October 16, 2019, in the qualification for the 2021 season. The City Oilers from Uganda defeated Dynamo 71–57 in Dar es Salaam.[1]
During the second season, the name "Road to BAL" was used for the first time, which would later become the event name.
The following years, the competition was held in different venues in several countries, but held the same format which led to six teams qualifying for the main tournament.
Format
The national champions of each national federation (associated with FIBA Africa) can sign up for the BAL qualifiers.
In the inaugural edition, a total of 31 teams[2] from 31 countries participate in the qualifying tournaments to determine which six teams will play in the 2020 BAL regular season, along with six directly placed six teams.
The qualifying tournaments are divided into the first round and the Elite 16; teams are also divided into the East Division and the West Division. Out of each division, three teams advance to the main tournament.
Venues
The qualifying rounds are usually played in groups of four to six teams that play each other once in a venue in a pre-determined location. The following arenas have hosted at least one group in either the first round or elite 16:
| Venue | City | Country | Seasons hosted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellis Park Arena | Johannesburg | 1 (2023) | |
| Wembley Stadium | 2 (2021, 2022) | ||
| Palais des Sports de Treichville | Abidjan | 3 (2023, 2025, 2026) | |
| Palais du 29 Juillet | Niamey | 1 (2023) | |
| Palais des Sports Mahamasina | Antananarivo | 2 (2021, 2023) | |
| Palais des Sports du 28 Septembre | Conakry | 1 (2022) | |
| National Indoor Stadium | Dar es Salaam | 3 (2022–2024, 2026) | |
| The Filbert Bayi Olympafrica Centre | Kibaha | 1 (2025) | |
| Kigali Arena | Kigali | 1 (2021) | |
| Yaoundé Multipurpose Sports Complex | Yaoundé | 3 (2021–2023) | |
| Palais des Sports Salamatou Maïga | Bamako | 2 (2021, 2026) | |
| Palais des Sports de Cotonou | Cotonou | 1 (2021) | |
| Palais des Sports de Libreville | Libreville | 1 (2021) | |
| Tripoli Great Hall | Tripoli | 1 (2025) | |
| Japoma Multisports Complex Gymnasium | Douala | 1 (2025) | |
| City Sports Center | Harare | 1 (2025) | |
| Kasarani Indoor Arena | Nairobi | 2 (2025, 2026) | |
| Gymnase Multisports de la Police Nationale C | Kinshasa | 1 (2026) | |
| NASDEC Sports Complex | Lusaka | 1 (2026) | |
| Pavilhão Desportivo Vavá Duarte | Praia | 1 (2026) |
Results
| Qualified for the Basketball Africa League proper |
East Division
| Ed. | Year | Finals host | First place game | Third place game | Num. teams | Ref. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winners | Score | Runners-up | Third place | Score | Fourth place | |||||
1 | 2021 | Kigali | Patriots BBC | 94–63 | GNBC | Ferroviário de Maputo | 74–57 | City Oilers | 16 | [3][4] |
2 | 2022 | Johannesburg | Ferroviário da Beira | 91–65 | Cobra Sport | Cape Town Tigers | 20–0[a] | New Star | 10[b] | [5] |
3 | 2023 | Cape Town Tigers | 81–71 | Ferroviário da Beira | City Oilers | 71–62 | Urunani | 10[c] | [6][7] | |
4 | 2024 | Cape Town Tigers | 70–68 | City Oilers | Dynamo | 79–78 | COSPN | 14 | [8][9] | |
5 | 2025 | Nairobi | Nairobi City Thunder | 99–86 | Kriol Star | Urunani | 77–75 | City Oilers | 14 | [10][11] |
6 | 2026 | Nairobi City Thunder | 94–84 | Johannesburg Giants | Dar City | 92–77 | Ferroviário da Beira | 9 | [12][13] | |
West Division
| Ed. | Year | Finals host | First place game | Third place game | Num. teams | Ref. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winners | Score | Runners-up | Third place | Score | Fourth place | |||||
1 | 2021 | Yaoundé | GS Pétroliers | 92–88 | FAP | AS Police | 71–69 | ABC Fighters | 13 | [14][15] |
2 | 2022 | FAP | 81–34 | SLAC | Espoir Fukash | 93–87 (OT) | AS Police | 8[d] | [16] | |
3 | 2023 | Abidjan | ABC Fighters | 81–70 | SLAC | Stade Malien | 62–59 | Bangui Sporting Club | 10[e] | [17] |
4 | 2024 | Yaoundé | Bangui Sporting Club | 93–90 | FUS Rabat | Al Ahly Benghazi | 93–84 | FAP | 9 | [18][19] |
5 | 2025 | Abidjan | Al Ahli Tripoli | 71–68 | Stade Malien | ABC Fighters | 92–53 | KSA | 12 | [20] |
6 | 2026 | Praia | Al Ahli Ly | 105–92 | JCA Abidjan | CRB Tombouctou | 90–64 | Spintex Knights | 11 | [21] |
Performance by country
As of November 2024, 13 different clubs from 12 countries have qualified for the BAL's main tournament. As of the 2023 season, Nigeria, Rwanda, Egypt, Senegal and Tunisia are given a bye for the qualifiers as they qualify directly for the BAL.[6] In 2021, Morocco was also given an automatic spot.
All-time participants
The following is a list of clubs who have played in the BAL Qualifying Tournaments at any time since its formation in 2019, or will play in the upcoming season.
| Defunct | Defunct teams | |||||
| 1st | Champions | |||||
| 2nd | Runners-up | |||||
| 3rd | Third place | |||||
| SF | Semi-finalists | |||||
| E16 | Elite 16 | |||||
| R1 | First round | |||||
| W | Withdrew | |||||
All-time record by club
- As of 8 October 2022.
| Club | Years | Pld | W | L | 4th | 3rd | RU | W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAP | 3 | 17 | 13 | 4 | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| ABC | 3 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 1 | – | – | 1 |
| Patriots | 1 | 9 | 9 | 0 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Ferroviário de Maputo | 1 | 10 | 8 | 2 | – | 1 | – | – |
| AS Police | 2 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 1 | 1 | – | – |
| City Oilers | 2 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 1 | – | – | – |
| SLAC | 3 | 14 | 6 | 8 | – | – | 2 | – |
| GNBC | 1 | 9 | 6 | 3 | – | – | 1 | – |
| GS Pétroliers | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Stade Malien | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | – | 1 | – | – |
| KPA | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| Ferroviário da Beira | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Nigelec | 3 | 17 | 5 | 12 | – | – | – | – |
| UNZA Pacers | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Cape Town Tigers | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | – | 1 | – | – |
| Bangui Sporting Club | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Cobra Sport | 2 | 13 | 4 | 9 | – | – | 1 | – |
| New Star | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Manga BB | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Espoir Fukash | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | – | 1 | – | – |
| Al-Nasr Benghazi | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Mercenaries | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Elan Coton | 1 | 6 | 2 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| JKT | 1 | 7 | 2 | 5 | – | – | – | – |
| ASPAC | 2 | 6 | 2 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| SOA | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Matero Magic | 3 | 8 | 1 | 7 | – | – | – | – |
| Mazembe | 1 | 6 | 1 | 5 | – | – | – | – |
| Nueva Era | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Tondema | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Jozi Nuggets | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Lions | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Dolphins | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Dynamo | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Braves of Customs | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Ulinzi Warriors | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| NPA Pythons | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Beau Vallon Heat | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| AS Salé | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| ABC | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Hawassa City | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Usoni | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Virgen María de África | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Roche-Bois Warriors | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| Tondema | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Brave Hearts | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Djabal Iconi | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| Espoir | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | – | – | – | – |
Records
Team records
- Best performance by record:
- Patriots in the 2019 qualification (9–0)
- Largest win
- 96 points difference (Ferroviário da Beira 132–36 Roche-Bois Warriors) on October 22, 2021
- 83 points difference (Djabal Iconi 37–120 KPA) on October 22, 2022
- 77 points difference (KPA 131–54 Usoni Club) on November 1, 2019
- Most points scored in a game
- 131 by KPA (131–54 vs. Usoni Club) on November 1, 2019
- Fewest points scored in a game
- 36 by Roche-Bois Warriors (vs. Ferroviário da Beira) on October 30, 2019
Individual records
- Most points scored in a game
- 55 by Raphiael Putney, Dar City (vs. Djabal Iconi) on October 17, 2025[22]
- Most rebounds in a game
- 26 by Michael Mukumbutaa, Lions Windhoek (vs. UNZA Pacers) on October 27, 2019
- 22 by Ameh Eric Ejeh, ASPAC (vs. Nigelec) on October 30, 2019
- Most assists in a game
- 12 by Stephane Mshana, JKT (vs. Dynamo) on October 20, 2019
- 12 by Solo Diabate, Al Ahly Benghazi (vs. FAP) on November 5, 2023[23]
- Most steals in a game
- 9 by Abdoulaye Harouna, Nigelec (vs. FAP) on November 28, 2019
- Most blocks in a game
- Most 3-point field goals made in a game
- 9 by Timothy Kwaor, Nigelec (vs. NPA Pythons) on November 1, 2019
- Oldest player to play in a game
- James Truman Bedeah, Mighty Barrolle at 45 years old in the 2025 BAL qualification[24]
Notes
- ^ Players of New Star tested positive for COVID-19 and thus were given the automatic loss.
- ^ In the 2022 BAL qualification, initially 26 teams would participate but six teams withdrew.
- ^ In 2023, 21 teams participated after 8 teams withdrew.
- ^ In the 2022 BAL qualification, initially 26 teams would participate but six teams withdrew.
- ^ In 2023, 21 teams participated after 8 teams withdrew.
- ^ New Tech Bantou withdrew from the Elite 16 after it failed to travel to Praia in time.
- ^ Lamantins from Chad forfeited during their first game and were subsequently disqualified in the 2024 qualifying tournament.
- ^ The NBA Academy Africa has joined the competition since 2023, but is ineligible to advance as they represent the NBA.
References
- ^ "City Oilers v Dynamo boxscore - Africa Champions Clubs ROAD TO B.A.L 2020 2019 - 16 October". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
- ^ "African clubs to compete in qualifying tournaments for the Basketball Africa League confirmed". FIBA Africa. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- ^ "Patriots finish BAL Qualifiers on high note". FIBA.basketball. 2019-12-22. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "Ferroviario de Maputo book last Basketball Africa League slot". FIBA.basketball. 2019-12-22. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "Cape Town Tigers qualify for BAL after New Star forfeit". ESPN.com. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- ^ "African clubs to compete in 2022 Road to BAL and Elite 16 Qualifying Tournaments confirmed". FIBA.basketball. 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
- ^ "City Oilers overcome Urunani to punch last ticket to the Basketball Africa League 2023". FIBA.basketball. 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "Cape Town Tigers crowned East Division Elite 16 champions". FIBA.basketball. 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
- ^ "Dynamo outlast COSPN, secure last BAL ticket". FIBA.basketball. 2023-11-26. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
- ^ "Nairobi City Thunder win the 2024 East Division Elite 16". www.fiba.basketball. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "Urunani hold on against Oilers for third place in East Division". www.fiba.basketball. 2024-12-03. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "Nairobi City Thunder crowned 2026 East Division Elite 16 champions". www.fiba.basketball. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Dar City beat Beira to finish third in the East Division Elite 16". www.fiba.basketball. 23 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Algeria's GSP clinch the 'Elite 16' West Division top spot". FIBA.basketball. 2019-12-01. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "AS Police secure maiden Basketball Africa League ticket". FIBA.basketball. 2019-12-01. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "Espoir Fukash beat AS Police in overtime, qualify to BAL 2022". FIBA.basketball. 2021-12-16. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "Stade Malien pick last ticket from West Division for BAL 2023". FIBA.basketball. 2022-11-19. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
- ^ "Al Ahly Benghazi pick last ticket from the West Division to the BAL 2024 season". FIBA.basketball. 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ "Bangui win West Division Elite 16". FIBA.basketball. 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ "Al Ahli Tripoli clinch 2025 Road to BAL West Division title". www.fiba.basketball. 2024-11-10. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "Benghazi crowned 2026 West Division Elite 16 champions". www.fiba.basketball. 16 November 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ^ "Putney sets a Road to BAL scoring record as Dar City make light work of Djabal". www.fiba.basketball. 2025-10-17. Retrieved 2025-10-18.
- ^ "Players statistics of the Africa Champions Clubs ROAD TO B.A.L. 2024 2023". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
- ^ "Things to know about the Road to BAL 2025 - West Division". www.fiba.basketball. 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
Born on November 17, 1978, James Truman Bedeah (45) is the oldest to ever feature in the Road to BAL.