A key player to watch, Firas Lahyani (right), aims to lead US Monastir on another title run.
After a two-week break, the Basketball Africa League resumes play on Saturday in Dakar, Senegal, at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Al Ittihad (from Egypt) dominated the Kalahari field, going 5-0 with an average win margin of over 17 points. The defending BAL champions, Petro de Luanda (Angola), aim to become the first team to win back-to-back titles, while 2022 champions US Monastir (Tunisia) will look to reclaim the top spot.
With Al Ittihad and Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria) securing their spots as the top two teams from the opening round, here’s what to expect during the week-long second-round competition in Dakar.
Teams:
- ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal)
- Kriol Star Basketball (Cape Verde)
- Petro de Luanda (Angola)
- US Monastir (Tunisia)
Players to Watch:
- Will Perry (USA; ASC Ville de Dakar) – The First Team All BAL performer last year will be among the top players in the entire league despite playing for a new club in ASC Ville de Dakar.
- Ater Majok (South Sudan; ASC Ville de Dakar) – A 7-foot center drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011, Majok is a towering presence on both ends of the floor.
- Firas Lahyani (Tunisia; US Monastir) – Known for his athleticism, Lahyani will look to lead US Monastir back to the top, bringing his dynamic skills to the forefront.
- Childe Dundao (Angola; Petro de Luanda) – A key member of the Angolan Men’s National Team, Dundao is one of the best perimeter defenders in the BAL.
The Sahara Conference matches will conclude on May 4, with Nile Conference play kicking off on May 17. All games will be available across NBA Digital platforms (NBA App, NBA.com, BAL YouTube) and on TheBAL.com.
