As Road to BAL 2026 Group E tips off in Lusaka, stars like Nkosinathi Sibanyoni, Omar Thielemans, Botsilo Ramabu, and Dyvonne Kuda Pfachi headline a thrilling lineup of elite African basketball talent ready to dominate.
Last Updated on
October 25, 2025
Following much delay, chatter and rumours, this week FIBA Africa finally confirmed the rescheduled dates for the now much-anticipated Road to BAL 2026 Group E games.
The rescheduled qualifiers will now tip off next week, from Monday, 27 October to Saturday, 1 November, at the nationally renowned National Sports Development Center (NASDEC) in Lusaka, Zambia's capital city.
Now that Road To BAL's Group E in Lusaka is literally around the corner, we can finally take a look at some key players who will go to battle for a chance to advance to the Elite 16:
Johannesburg Giants power forward, Nkosinathi Sibanyoni, is one of the most respected homegrown South African talents in the game today. The Mpumalanga-born hooper will bring a lot of experience to his team, especially on the continental stage, having previously played for (the now defunct) Cape Town Tigers and Urunani. For his many on-court efforts, Sibanyoni holds the single-game rebounding record in the Basketball Africa League and in Burundi's Viva Basketball League.
His dynamic defensive abilities will help the Giants, as he has proven that he can guard all five positions. He had a good run with Urunani at Elite
16 last year and will be expected to exceed those expectations since being reunited with head coach Flosh Ngwenya, who worked with him during his highs at BAL with Cape Town Tigers and also with the South African national team.
Matero Magic's Gambian-Belgian small forward (and part-time YouTube star) Omar Thielemans is a dynamic wing with a unique collection of experience among his teammates, having played pro on four continents, returning to his home continent after a stint in Thailand.
At 6'8, Thielemans (often referred to as "The Freak Train") is known for using his strength to drive and cut to the rim while also being able to knock down threes when called upon. His size, strength and agility make him a tough cover on the defensive end of the ball as he can switch on all positions.
Botsilo Ramabu is Dolphins BC's Botswana swingman, who is very well known for his ability to not only knock down clutch shots, but also play above the rim on both ends of the floor. A 3X3 Botswana national team vet whose confidence will surely inspire his team despite rumoured financial issues.
In a recent interview with South African-based outlet, The Big Tip Off, Ramabu had the following to say about his club's chances at the Road to BAL:
"I see us going to the Elite 16. It's no knock on the teams that will be there. It's just the faith I have in my group."
He is a battle-tested leader who will be key to helping his team, especially after they fell short last year.
Basket Houndz's much-loved point guard, Dyvonne Kuda Pfachi, is considered a national treasure in Zimbabwe. Affectionately known as 'Zim 1,' the diminutive playmaker is the first Zimbabwean to play in the Basketball Africa League.
His speed, athletic finish at the rim, and overall control of the game's flow make him a dangerous player. In recent years, he has become a threat on the perimeter, and regardless of his size, he has become a well-respected pest on defence, often taking his defensive assignment full-court.
The Houndz will lean on Pfachi's experience, having previously competed at both the BAL and Elite 16 levels as well as in South Africa's much-troubled Basketball National League (BNL) and in Burundi's Viva Basketball League (VBL).
With so much in his defensive and offensive arsenal, he will be a key player for the 2025 Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) National League champions.
[Photography Courtesy of the Road to BAL/Basketball Africa League]
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