Dar City Earns Wild Card Slot for 2026 Basketball Africa League After Dramatic Qualification Run

Dar City Earns Wild Card Slot for 2026 Basketball Africa League After Dramatic Qualification Run

Following a roller coaster weekend that saw Dar City bounce back from semi-finals heartbreak to beat Ferroviario da Beira 92–77 in the third-place bronze game, the Tanzanian-based powerhouse has reportedly earned a coveted wild-card slot for the 2026 Basketball Africa League after officials compared the third-place finishers from both divisions.

League officials set the 2026 wild card process by evaluating the East and West third-place finishers rather than awarding reputation-based selections. CRBT claimed the West Division third-place after beating the 2025 Accra Basketball League champions Spintex Knights 90–64. Dar City responded by overpowering Mozambique heavyweights Ferroviario da Beira 92–77 in the East Division, to reclaim control of their journey

Kriol Star and MBB previously secured wild cards based on mixed criteria, including national championship achievements or commanding performances during qualifying tournaments. BAL officials had also granted a wild card selection to the NBA Academy, as well as to teams that competed in the prior season's event and entered the following cycle as reigning domestic champions.

With many of the 2026 BAL clubs rearranging their rosters to meet the extensive workload of the Basketball Africa League, there is no guarantee that Dar City's Tanzanian fans and neutrals alike will see some of their favourite players from the Road to BAL 2026 campaign.

However, there is still some hope amongst the Dar City supporters that the club's core players will return.

Nisre Zouzoua spearheaded Dar City's push by averaging 21.0 points while adding 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.0 steals per game. South Sudan national team regular, Deng Angok Yak Deng, anchored their frontcourt presence with 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Senegal national team player, Youssou Ndoye, contributed 12.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while reinforcing the defensive spine expected from a Senegal national team regular.

Makhi Mitchell added 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds, his reliability strengthening the interior production that Dar City leaned on throughout qualifying. Ivorian national team star Solo Diabate delivered 8.7 points, 10.6 assists, and 2.1 steals while guiding the offence with calm leadership and veteran precision.

Tanzanian supporters will hope to witness a spirited 2026 BAL run as Dar City has shown they know how to fight, respond, and seize opportunities when the pressure peaks.

[Photography Courtesy of FIBA/Road to BAL]