Kalahari curtain falls as four teams punch BAL tickets to Kigali
The 2026 BAL Kalahari Conference was wrapped up with two final games at SunBet Arena in Pretoria , drawing the group phase to a close. In the opening game, Nairobi
The 2026 BAL Kalahari Conference was wrapped up with two final games at SunBet Arena in Pretoria , drawing the group phase to a close.
In the opening game, Nairobi City Thunder (Kenya) signed off their campaign on a high, stunning the previously unbeaten RSSB Tigers (Rwanda) 101–92 to hand them their first loss of the conference. Derrick Ogechi led the Thunder with 22 points, while Tylor Ongwae added 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Antino Jackson Jr. top-scored for the Tigers with 24 points and nine assists.
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In the day's final game, Petro de Luanda (Angola) dismantled the Johannesburg Giants (South Africa) 105–61 in a commanding close to group play. Javion Blake led Petro with 21 points and nine assists, while Aboubacar Gakou contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds. Josh Ozabor finished as the Giants' top scorer with 19 points, as the hosts ended the conference without a single win — their fifth straight defeat.
RSSB Tigers, Petro de Luanda, Al Ahly Ly (Libya) and Dar City (Tanzania) advance to the BAL Playoffs in Kigali, Rwanda, scheduled for May 22–31 at BK Arena.
Attention now shifts to the Sahara Conference, which gets under way on April 24 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco, running until May 3.
