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  Africa

  Al Ahly Cruise Into BAL Final 8 as JCA Kings Exit After Heavy Defeat

  Al Ahly secured their place in the Basketball Africa League Final 8 with authority, defeating JCA Kings 85–65 in a one-sided Sahara Conference clash. From the opening minutes, Al Ahly imposed their tempo and never looked back, building a double-digit lead early and stretching it to as many as 23 points. Guard Zack Lofton led the charge with a standout 32-point performance, highlighting the Egyptian side’s offensive firepower. The victory lifts Al Ahly to a 3–1 record and confirms their qualification for the playoffs for the third consecutive time, underlining their consistency at the continental level. In contrast, the JCA Kings’ debut BAL campaign comes to an early end, as the Ivorian side falls to 0–4 with one game remaining. Despite flashes of promise throughout the tournament, including competitive performances in earlier games, the Kings were unable to keep pace in this decisive matchup. Jonathan Cissé once again led the team with 21 points, but it was not enough to prevent elimination as the gap in execution and experience proved decisive.

  BALCôte d’Ivoire
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  Africa

  Madina Okot Shines in Dream Debut with Double - Double in WNBA Preseason

  Madina Okot made an immediate impact in her first appearance for the Atlanta Dream, delivering a standout double-double performance in a preseason victory that confirmed her rising status on the global stage. The Kenyan center recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds, showcasing her dominance in the paint and strong rebounding instincts. Her performance played a key role in Atlanta’s win and highlighted why she has been regarded as one of the most promising international prospects entering the league. Beyond the numbers, Okot’s presence was felt on both ends of the floor, bringing energy, physicality, and composure in her first professional outing. Having already built a reputation as a “walking double-double” during her college career, she appears well on track to translate that consistency to the WNBA level. Drafted 13th overall in 2026, Okot continues a remarkable journey from Kenya to the world’s top women’s basketball league. Her debut performance not only strengthens her case for a regular role in Atlanta’s rotation but also signals the growing impact of African talent in the WNBA.

  WNBA
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  Africa

  JCA Kings Rewrite BAL History with Record - Breaking Rebounding Display

  Despite remaining winless in the Sahara Conference, the JCA Kings have etched their name into BAL history with a dominant and record-tying performance on the boards. In their 79–74 overtime loss to Club Africain, the Ivorian side delivered one of the most impressive rebounding displays ever seen in the competition. From the opening quarter, the Kings imposed their physicality, out-rebounding their opponents 17–9 in the first 10 minutes and building a 19–10 lead. Their dominance only grew as the game progressed, holding a commanding 47–30 advantage by the fourth quarter and an astonishing 60–32 edge at the end of regulation. Although the game went to overtime tied at 66–66, JCA Kings ultimately fell short. However, their total of 65 rebounds matched the all-time BAL record, previously set in 2025 by the Rivers Hoopers—achieved here in just one overtime period. The performance was a true team effort, with four players—Chris Crawford, Babatunde William, Chris Echui, and Cheikh Diong—each recording double-digit rebounds. With 23 offensive boards, the Kings consistently created second-chance opportunities, underlining a level of dominance rarely seen despite the final result.

  Côte d’Ivoire
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  Africa

  Samba Fall’s Buzzer - Beater Stuns Rabat as Dakar Snatch First Win (67 - 66)

  Samba Fall delivered one of the most dramatic moments of the BAL season, sinking a game-winning three-pointer with less than five seconds remaining to lift ASC Ville de Dakar to a stunning 67–66 victory over FUS Rabat. Facing the prospect of a third straight defeat, Dakar found a hero in Fall, who erupted in the fourth quarter. The Senegalese guard scored 10 of his team-high 17 points in the final period, taking control of the game when it mattered most and capping his performance with the decisive shot. The game remained tightly contested throughout, with multiple lead changes in the closing minutes. Despite leading scorer Kuany Kuany finishing with 19 points for Rabat, the Moroccan side faltered late, committing costly turnovers and failing to convert key free throws down the stretch. Solo Diabaté added 16 points, while Axel Toupane contributed 12 for Dakar, sealing a crucial first win of the campaign. The result not only revives Dakar’s playoff hopes but also delays Rabat’s chance to secure an early qualification spot in the Sahara Conference.

  BAL
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  Africa

  Club Africain Clinch First Sahara Conference Playoff Spot After Gritty Overtime Win

  Club Africain became the first team to secure a playoff berth from the Sahara Conference after a hard-fought 79–74 overtime victory against JCA Kings in Rabat. The win marked their third straight triumph, maintaining a perfect start to the 2026 Basketball Africa League campaign. Despite the result, Club Africain were pushed to the limit by a resilient JCA Kings side that controlled large stretches of the game. The Ivorians built a double-digit lead early and dominated the boards, leading by as many as 15 points in the first half while capitalizing on their physical presence inside. The turning point came in the third quarter, when Club Africain tightened defensively and launched a 10–0 run to erase the deficit. Veteran guard Omar Abada sparked the comeback with a momentum-shifting basket, while Aminu Mohamed led the scoring with 21 points to guide the Tunisian side through a tense finish. JCA Kings’ Jonathan Cissé delivered a standout 30-point performance, the first of its kind in the conference this season, but costly turnovers ultimately proved decisive. Club Africain’s efficiency—committing just four turnovers compared to 18 from their opponents—sealed a comeback win that guarantees their place in the BAL playoffs.

  BAL
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  Africa

  Angola, Cameroon and Senegal to Host Window 3 of the 2027 World Cup African Qualifiers

  FIBA has confirmed that Angola, Cameroon, and Senegal will host Window 3 of the African Qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The competition, which will take place from July 2 to 5, will bring together 16 participating teams, split across two groups, as the race for qualification intensifies. The competition features four groups of four teams in the first round, with the following composition: Group A: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Libya, South Sudan Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Madagascar, Senegal Group C: Nigeria, Rwanda, Guinea, Tunisia Group D: Angola, Egypt, Mali, Uganda Each team plays within its group across multiple windows, with results carrying over throughout the qualification process. Window 3 will be a decisive phase in the African qualifiers, where standings begin to take clearer shape in the race toward the next round. The top three teams from each group will advance, keeping their World Cup hopes alive, while only five African nations in total will ultimately qualify for the 2027 tournament in Qatar. By awarding hosting duties to Angola, Cameroon, and Senegal, FIBA continues to spread major basketball events across the continent, ensuring strong local atmospheres and competitive balance as Africa’s elite national teams battle for qualification.