The qualification for the 2024 BAL season, also known as Road to BAL 2024, was the 4th edition of the qualifying tournaments for the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The tournaments were organised by FIBA Africa and are held from 3 October to 26 November 2023.[1] The format was the same as to the previous seasons, with the competition divided in the group phase and the elite 16.
In the West Division, Bangui Sporting Club won the division and became the first team from the Central African Republic to qualify.[2] Runners-up were FUS Rabat and Al Ahly Benghazi finished third, and became the first team from Libya to qualify.[3] In the East Division, the Cape Town Tigers took their second division title, while runners-up City Oilers qualified for a second straight season.[4]Dynamo became the first team from Burundi to qualify.[5]
Teams
The representatives of Guinea, Uganda, Mali, Mozambique, Ivory Coast and South Africa were directly qualified for the Elite 16, as teams from those countries qualified in the 2023 tournaments.
The final list of teams was announced by FIBA Africa on 21 September 2023.[6] On 30 September 2023, FIBA announced that Nigelec from Niger and Roche-Bois Warriors of Mauritius had pulled out of the tournament.[7] On 5 October, FIBA announced Elan Coton of Benin withdrew, causing the cancellation of Group A with the remaining two teams automatically advancing.[8]
Formerly participating associations that did not register a team
Algeria
Equatorial Guinea
Ghana
South Sudan
Group phase
The venues and schedule for the group phase were confirmed on 21 September 2023.[6] The 20 teams were drawn into five groups, geographically divided into two divisions. The games will begin on 3 October 2023 and end 22 October 2023.[32]
Eleven teams, Al Ahly Benghazi, FUS Rabat, Lamantins, Virunga, Pazi, Sebeta City, UNAM Wolves, Munali Suns, JBC and Ushindzi will make their debut appearances in the Road to BAL competition. Lamantins were the first team from Chad to play in the Road to BAL.
West Division
Group A
On 30 September, Nigelec withdrew from the tournament.[7] On 5 October, Elan Coton withdrew as well, which subsequently led to FIBA 's decision to cancel the group's games; the two remaining teams (Al Ahly Benghazi and FUS Rabat) automatically qualified for the Elite 16.[8]
The games of Group A are expected to be played from 6 to 10 October in Benghazi, Libya.[32]
First match(es) will be played: unknown. Source: Road to BAL (D) Disqualified; (H) Hosts
Group B
The games of Group B were played from 6 to 10 October in Yaoundé, Cameroon.[32]Lamantins refused to play the second half of their opening match against FAP, and were given a technical loss. Following another forfeited game, they were subsequently disqualified and the team's remaining matches were cancelled and scores were forgotten.
The games of Group C were initially scheduled for 10–15 October in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.[32] The games were later moved to 19–21 October. Sebeta City from Ethiopia was drawn into the group, but withdrew later. Elan Coton from Benin, which was originally drawn into Group A, replaced the team.
IST Gymnasium, Dar es Salaam Referees: Tonton Banza Kalume (DRC), Amr Aboollo (EGY), Guy Sani Kollo (CMR)
Group D
The games of Group D were initially scheduled for 17–22 October in Gaborone, Botswana, but were eventually moved to 21–23 October.[32]Bravehearts from Malawi were also drawn in the group but withdrew before the start of the tournament.
Palais des Sports Mahamasina, Antananarivo Referees: Walelign Gebeto (ETH), Ahmed Khedr (EGY), Claudio Eiuba (ANG)
Elite 16
The Elite 16 is composed of sixteen teams that are geographically divided into Group E and Group F. The teams that finish in the top three places of their division qualify for the 2024 BAL season.
The West Division was initially supposed to be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, for a second consecutive season. However, on 12 October, FIBA Africa announced the Yaoundé Multipurpose Sports Complex in Yaoundé was the new host of the games, because the venue in Abidjan was unavailable.[34] The East Division will be hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the third season in a row.[6]
The draw was held on 23 October 2023 in Gaborone. Teams that played in the same group in the first phase could not be drawn in the same group for the Elite 16.[35]
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