Dar City’s unbeaten rise to 2–0 in the Elite 16 fuels hopes of a historic BAL debut, as Coach Mamadou Gueye’s leadership sparks belief that he may guide a second club to Africa’s biggest stage.
Last Updated on
November 21, 2025
Dar City’s march toward a historic Basketball Africa League (BAL) debut gained even more momentum on Wednesday as the Tanzanian side extended their unbeaten run with an emphatic 93–75 victory over the Bravehearts of Malawi.
The win, their second in the Elite 16 East Division, places them within touching distance of the last four and, potentially, a maiden BAL qualification. But the storyline transcends the box score: it is also about whether Coach Mamadou “Pabi” Gueye can once again steer a team to Africa’s premier basketball competition.
Gueye, who previously led Senegalese powerhouse club AS Douanes to the BAL, and most notably during their 2023 finals run, arrived in Dar es Salaam with experience, composure, and a playbook refined against the best the continent has to offer. Now, with Dar City sitting at 2–0, the question naturally arises: Can Gueye make history by helping yet another club reach the BAL?
If current performances are any indication, the answer is leaning toward yes.
Dar City played with authority from the opening tip, avoiding the sluggish start that had marked their first game. They jumped to a quick 10–4 lead, powered by Raphael Putney, whose eight early points set the tone for a 23–15 first quarter. The team’s discipline and assertiveness reflected Gueye’s unmistakable influence, structured offence, compact defence, and intelligent spacing.
The momentum carried into the second quarter, where Youssou Ndoye opened the scoring before Nisre Zouzoua caught fire. After scoring just five in the first quarter, Zouzoua quickly accelerated to double digits, helping stretch the lead to 32–20. The Ivorian star didn’t slow down, adding another ten points to push the margin to 46–30, before a buzzer-beating three from Vincent Masiyano trimmed the halftime score to 46–33.
But the third quarter was where Dar City stamped their authority. The Tanzanian side suffocated the Bravehearts, outscoring them 32–10 in a decisive period that all but killed off the contest. Solo Diabaté Dar City’s cerebral floor general reached the 50-point mark for the team early in the quarter, while Zouzoua unleashed a barrage from long range, including a dagger that pushed the lead to 53–34. Four more triples followed, showcasing Dar City’s offensive rhythm and their opponents’ inability to respond.
With the match effectively sealed, Gueye rotated his bench in the final quarter, allowing the Bravehearts to salvage a 32–15 period. But the damage had long been done.
Zouzoua finished with a game-high 28 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, earning an efficiency rating of 29. Deng Angok Yak Deng added 17, Ndoye 16 off the bench, and Putney 15. Diabaté masterfully orchestrated the offence with 14 assists, further highlighting Dar City’s balanced firepower.
After the game, Zouzoua emphasized both satisfaction and ambition:
We are happy with the back-to-back wins but we still have some work to do… We will keep the momentum going heading to the final group match, bring the same energy and heart.
As Dar City edges closer to qualification, one thing is clear: with Coach Gueye at the helm, their BAL dream is no longer distant; it is rapidly becoming inevitable.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA/Road to BAL]
