The Democratic Republic of Congo men's national basketball team has officially started preparations for the third African qualifying window of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The first training sessions began on June 4 in Kinshasa with a group of domestic league players under the supervision of national technical director and assistant coaches Pierrot Ilunga and Elise Kalenda. This initial training camp is focused on evaluating local talent and introducing players to the tactical demands of the national team. According to assistant coach Pierrot Ilunga, the selection process remains open to any player capable of proving his value and adapting to the team's system. The Leopards enter the upcoming qualifying window with their World Cup hopes still alive. DR Congo currently sits third in Group B with one win and two losses, trailing Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal. The Congolese squad will face Madagascar, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal during the decisive tournament scheduled from July 2 to July 5 in Dakar, Senegal. The top three teams will advance to the next qualifying round. Despite ongoing logistical and financial challenges surrounding the national team, the Leopards remain focused on securing a place in the next stage of qualification. The coaching staff is expected to gradually welcome overseas-based players in the coming weeks as preparations intensify ahead of the Dakar showdown. **Current Group B Standings** - Côte d'Ivoire - Senegal - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Madagascar

Chadian basketball has reached a historic milestone. The Sao U18 national team captured the FIBA Africa Zone 4 title after defeating Gabon **85-58** in the final held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The victory secures Chad's qualification for the AfroBasket U18 2027 tournament, which will be hosted in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The road to the title was far from straightforward. After opening the tournament with a loss to Congo, the young Chadians responded impressively, recording key victories over the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea before avenging their earlier defeat against Congo in the semifinals with a 52-46 win. Several players played crucial roles throughout the competition, led by dominant big man Ngaba Yaya. The center delivered standout performances on both ends of the floor, including a 20-point outing in the semifinal against Congo, while consistently controlling the boards throughout the tournament. In the championship game, Chad left no doubt about its superiority. The Sao stormed to a 24-12 lead after the first quarter and continued to increase the gap before cruising to a convincing 27-point victory over Gabon. The qualification marks a major step forward for Chadian basketball and highlights the country's growing presence on the continental stage. The Sao U18 will now look forward to testing themselves against Africa's best young teams at AfroBasket U18 2027 in Abidjan.

The 2026 NBA Finals will not only feature a historic showdown between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, but also showcase the growing influence of African basketball on the global stage. No fewer than six players with direct African ties will take part in the championship series, highlighting the continent’s expanding footprint in the NBA. The Finals, which tip off on June 3, mark the Knicks’ first appearance on basketball’s biggest stage since 1999, while the Spurs return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. The matchup is a rematch of the 1999 Finals, won by San Antonio, and guarantees that a new chapter will be written in league history. **African Representation in the 2026 NBA Finals:** - **San Antonio Spurs:** Victor Wembanyama (Democratic Republic of Congo) Bismack Biyombo (Democratic Republic of Congo) - **New York Knicks:** OG Anunoby (Nigeria) Ariel Hukporti (Togo) Mohamed Diawara (Mali) Pacôme Dadiet (Côte d’Ivoire) Their presence underlines the growing impact of African talent and heritage at the highest level of the game. Much of the spotlight will be on Victor Wembanyama, who has rapidly become one of the faces of the NBA. At just 22 years old, the French-Congolese superstar guided the Spurs to the Finals after a dominant playoff run. Wembanyama was named Western Conference Finals MVP following San Antonio’s victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. His elite two-way play has made him one of the most impactful players in the league, and he now stands just four wins away from capturing his first NBA title. **Pacôme Dadiet Carries Ivorian Hopes:** For Côte d’Ivoire, the Finals also shine a spotlight on Pacôme Dadiet, one of the brightest young prospects in international basketball. The French-Ivorian wing continues his development with the Knicks and now finds himself competing on the sport’s biggest stage. While still early in his NBA journey, Dadiet’s presence in the Finals is another significant milestone for Ivorian basketball. His progression is being closely followed by fans in Côte d’Ivoire, who see him as one of the next generation of players capable of elevating the country’s profile in world basketball. **A New Champion Will Be Crowned:** Regardless of the outcome, the NBA will crown an eighth different champion in eight seasons, a remarkable streak that reflects the league’s competitive balance. The Knicks are chasing their first championship since 1973, while the Spurs are seeking a sixth NBA title and the first of the Wembanyama era. For basketball fans across Africa, the 2026 NBA Finals provide another powerful reminder of the continent’s influence on the global game. From Kinshasa to Abidjan, Lagos to Bamako and Lomé, African roots will once again be represented on basketball’s grandest stage.

The RSSB Tigers etched their names into African basketball history on Sunday by winning the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) championship. Backed by a passionate home crowd at Kigali’s BK Arena, the Rwandan side rallied from a massive early deficit to defeat Petro de Luanda 90-88, becoming the first Rwandan club to lift the BAL trophy. The final appeared headed in Petro de Luanda’s direction from the opening minutes. The Angolan powerhouse, which was seeking its second BAL title and third consecutive finals victory, stormed out to a remarkable 20-0 start and led 27-16 at the end of the first quarter. However, the Tigers gradually clawed their way back into the contest, feeding off their defensive intensity and the energy of the home crowd. The comeback was fueled by a spectacular performance from Craig Randall II, who once again delivered on the biggest stage. After a slow start, the American guard caught fire in the second quarter and finished with a game-high 33 points, knocking down several crucial three-pointers and leading the Tigers’ offensive charge. His scoring explosion proved decisive as RSSB completed one of the most memorable comebacks in BAL Finals history. Petro de Luanda fought until the final buzzer behind a dominant outing from Aboubacar Gakou, who recorded 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Chasson Randle added 17 points. Despite controlling much of the game, the Angolan champions were unable to withstand the Tigers' late surge and fell just short of securing another continental crown. The victory caps a dream BAL debut season for RSSB Tigers, who become the first Rwandan team and the sixth different franchise to win the competition. For Petro de Luanda, the defeat marks a heartbreaking end to a campaign that saw them reach their fourth BAL Final in six seasons and their third consecutive championship game.

The RSSB Tigers etched their names into African basketball history on Sunday by winning the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) championship. Backed by a passionate home crowd at Kigali’s BK Arena, the Rwandan side rallied from a massive early deficit to defeat Petro de Luanda 90-88, becoming the first Rwandan club to lift the BAL trophy. The final appeared headed in Petro de Luanda’s direction from the opening minutes. The Angolan powerhouse, which was seeking its second BAL title and third consecutive finals victory, stormed out to a remarkable 20-0 start and led 27-16 at the end of the first quarter. However, the Tigers gradually clawed their way back into the contest, feeding off their defensive intensity and the energy of the home crowd. The comeback was fueled by a spectacular performance from Craig Randall II, who once again delivered on the biggest stage. After a slow start, the American guard caught fire in the second quarter and finished with a game-high 33 points, knocking down several crucial three-pointers and leading the Tigers’ offensive charge. His scoring explosion proved decisive as RSSB completed one of the most memorable comebacks in BAL Finals history. Petro de Luanda fought until the final buzzer behind a dominant outing from Aboubacar Gakou, who recorded 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Chasson Randle added 17 points. Despite controlling much of the game, the Angolan champions were unable to withstand the Tigers' late surge and fell just short of securing another continental crown. The victory caps a dream BAL debut season for RSSB Tigers, who become the first Rwandan team and the sixth different franchise to win the competition. For Petro de Luanda, the defeat marks a heartbreaking end to a campaign that saw them reach their fourth BAL Final in six seasons and their third consecutive championship game.

Petro de Luanda advanced to its third consecutive Basketball Africa League Final after defeating Al Ahly Ly 94-88 in a dramatic semifinal clash in Kigali. Trailing for most of the game, the Angolan champions produced a dominant fourth-quarter comeback to secure their fourth BAL Finals appearance in six seasons. The matchup was a rematch of the 2024 BAL Final, and for much of the contest, Al Ahly Ly appeared in control. The Libyan champions dictated the tempo through the first three quarters with aggressive offense and strong execution. However, the momentum completely shifted when Cleusio Castro threw down a thunderous dunk to give Petro a 75-73 lead with 7:13 remaining. From that moment on, Petro never trailed again. The game-changing spark came from the bench through Childe Dundao. Entering as Petro’s seventh man, Dundao transformed the flow of the game with his pace, energy, and playmaking. Alongside him, Gerson Gonçalves delivered a huge offensive performance to lead the Angolan giants back into the BAL Final. With the victory, Petro de Luanda now reaches the BAL Finals in 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026, further cementing its legacy as one of Africa’s premier basketball dynasties. Petro will now face RSSB Tigers, who eliminated Al Ahly SC 106-97, in what promises to be an electric championship game in front of the Kigali crowd. Meanwhile, Al Ahly Ly will face Al Ahly in the third-place game after falling just short of reaching the club’s first-ever BAL Final.

RSSB Tigers continued their remarkable Basketball Africa League 2026 campaign by defeating Al Ahly 106-97 in the semifinals at a packed BK Arena in Kigali, securing the first BAL Finals appearance in club history. In a high-scoring and entertaining battle, the Tigers pulled away during the final five minutes after the game remained tightly contested for most of the night. The two teams were tied 50-50 at halftime before the Rwandan side gradually took control with its pace, energy, and offensive execution. The trio of Oumar Ballo, Craig Randall II, and Teafale Lenard Jr led the home side to the historic victory. Ballo dominated the paint with a massive double-double of 20 points and 17 rebounds, while Randall once again exploded offensively with 30 points, finishing just one three-pointer short of another BAL record. Returning from injury, Teafale Lenard Jr added 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in a huge all-around performance. On the other side, 2023 BAL champions Al Ahly stayed competitive behind Zack Lofton, who delivered an outstanding performance with 36 points and 5 assists. However, despite Lofton’s offensive brilliance, the Egyptian giants could not withstand the Tigers’ late surge and saw their hopes of returning to the BAL Final come to an end. With the victory, RSSB Tigers become the first Rwandan club ever to qualify for a BAL Final, continuing a dream season in front of their home fans in Kigali. They will now face the winner of the semifinal clash between Petro de Luanda and Al Ahly Ly in the championship game.

The semifinal lineup for the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) is officially set following a thrilling quarterfinal round at BK Arena in Kigali. Petro de Luanda, Al Ahly, RSSB Tigers and Al Ahly Ly all secured their spots in the Final Four after intense and dramatic playoff series. BAL powerhouse Petro de Luanda once again reached the semifinals, marking their sixth consecutive appearance in the league’s final four. After suffering an opening loss to Dar City, the Angolan giants responded with composure and experience in the decisive game to continue their remarkable BAL consistency. On the other side of the bracket, Al Ahly SC overcame a three-point deficit against ASC Ville de Dakar to punch their ticket to the semifinals. The Egyptian side relied on its experience and late-game execution to edge the Senegalese club after two highly competitive encounters. Backed by a passionate home crowd in Kigali, RSSB Tigers also advanced despite a narrow second-leg loss to FUS Rabat. Thanks to the cushion built in the first game and the outstanding performances of Craig Randall II throughout the series, the Rwandan side kept its championship dream alive on home soil. Meanwhile, Al Ahly Ly ended the impressive playoff run of Club Africain behind another explosive display from Jaylen Adams Moore. The Libyan guard once again dominated offensively and delivered in crucial moments to send his team into the BAL semifinals. BAL 2026 Semifinal Matchups Petro de Luanda vs Al Ahly RSSB Tigers vs Al Ahly Ly The semifinals now promise blockbuster clashes featuring some of the strongest contenders left in the race for the continental crown.