FIBA Africa has officially announced the rescheduled dates for the Group E games of the Road to BAL. The news comes weeks after a rumoured dispute and deliberation with the Lusaka-based Midlands Basketball Association (MBA).
Last Updated on
October 23, 2025
After weeks of speculation, rumours and delays, Côte D'Ivoire-based FIBA Africa has finally confirmed that Group E of Road to BAL 2026 has been rescheduled. The announcement brings to an end weeks of uncertainty and off-court stress for all the participating teams.
The rescheduled qualifiers will now tip off from Monday, 27 October to Saturday, 1 November in Lusaka, Zambia's capital city.
The qualifiers, which were initially pencilled in to tip off on 22 October, faced several logistical and legal issues, forcing FIBA Africa to reconsider its Group E Road to BAL scheduling. Reports from local sources claimed the disputes between the Road to BAL organisers and the Lusaka-based Midland Bask Basketball Association (MBA) stemmed from a double-booking issue at the National Sports Development Center (NASDEC).
NASDEC, which serves as a primary basketball venue in Lusaka, had already been reserved for the MBA's B League games. When the Road to BAL organisers attempted to commence groundwork for the Division East qualifiers, the scheduling conflict became clear. After extensive dialogue between both parties, an agreement was reached to temporarily pause MBA league activities.
The resolution allows the Road to BAL 2026 qualifiers to proceed smoothly at NASDEC without further scheduling interference.
As expected, the now highly anticipated Group E games will feature six African basketball powerhouses, aiming to first secure a ticket to the Road to BAL 2026 Elite 16. These teams include Liga Moçambicana de Basquetebol champions Ferroviario da Beira, hosts Matero Magic, and South Africa's National Club Championship winners the Johannesburg Giants.
The group will also include Basket Hounds, the 2025 Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) National League champions; the Botswana Basketball League winners, the Dolphins; and Malawi's BASMAL National Championship titleholders, Bravehearts Basketball Club.
The top two clubs from Group E will qualify automatically for the aforementioned Elite 16 round. Over the past week, eight teams, Al Ahly Benghazi, Centre de Reference de Basketball de Tombouctou (CRBT), Jeunesse Club d'Abidjan (JCA), Spintex Knights, Moanda BB, ASB New Generation, Dar City, and Namuwongo Blazers, have already booked their tickets to the Elite 16.
[Photography Courtesy of Matero Magic Instagram/Ferroviario da Beira Instagram]
