FIBA Africa Zone 6 Weekly Review: 01/06/2025

FIBA Africa Zone 6 Weekly Review: 01/06/2025

Following a successful debut conference in 2024, South Africa will host the BAL Playoffs this year. The build-up to the event is electric, and the SunBet Arena in Pretoria is ready for the premier basketball competition on the continent. The top 8 teams will battle it out for the coveted trophy.

The game's tip-off on the sixth, and the placement games will run until the seventh to determine the matchups of the quarterfinals. Debutant Kriol star will take on FUS de Rabat, who is familiar with this arena, and to round off the first day, Al Ahli Tripoli will take on Al Ittihad. Both teams went undefeated in their respective conference and will use this to size each other up.

The last placement games will tip off with the defending champions, Petro de Luanda and APR. Petro de Luanda are also familiar with the surroundings as they played the Kalahari Conference in Pretoria last year. The games will conclude with US Monastir and Rivers Hoopers Club.

It is important to note that these are not elimination games, but they are equally crucial in determining the matchups for the elimination games. Although the local team, MBB Blue Soldiers, will not be featured, the locals will be supporting their native player, Samkelo Cele, who will play for Petro de Luanda.

The Angolan powerhouse, Petro de Luanda, was crowned champions of the Unitel League for the sixth time in a row. They defeated Primero de Agosto. They won 105-75 in Game 5 to claim a 4-1 record in the series. This victory means that they will feature in the BAL next season.

They will be the only team to feature in 6 straight BAL seasons after Monastir lost to Club Africain.

The Aboubacar Gakou swept up all the awards after an incredible season. The Angolan forward left with a handful of personal trophies. He was the finals MVP, regular season MVP, 2—point King,3-point King and Ideal 5 member. Petro de Luanda has pulled out all the stops to claim this championship and continue on this run of dominance.

They are not only a household name in Angola but also in Africa, as we will continue to see the TriColor on our screen for continental competitions.

BNL is underway in South Africa. The National League continues with its thirteenth season despite the controversy it has faced in recent years. They remain unrecognized by the national federation; therefore, it is still not the path to the Road to BAL. Against all odds, they continue to secure sponsors and still broadcast on SuperSport.

In the women's division, Tshwane Suns annihilated Mpumalanga Rhinos in a 113-33 blowout.

In the men's division, Egoli Magic defeated Mpumalanga Rhinos 67-55 to open their account this season. The other game that will take place this game week is a showdown between Soweto Panthers and Mpumalanga Rhinos in both the men's and women's divisions.

‍

[Photography Courtesy of BAL, Petro de Luanda and BNLSA]