Four Heavyweights Book Spots in 2026 Basketball Africa League Semifinals

Posted : 26 May 2026

The final line-up for the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) semifinals has been officially confirmed after intense quarterfinal action wrapped up at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. Defending champions Petro de Luanda of Angola and Libyan heavyweights Al Ahly Ly secured the remaining two spots during Monday's highly anticipated second-leg encounters. They join Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC and home favorites RSSB Tigers of Rwanda, who both booked their places in the Last Four a day earlier.

Libya's Al Ahly Ly displayed an offensive masterclass to brush aside Tunisian club Club Africain with a commanding 98-80 victory. American guard Charlie Moore was the star of the night, anchoring the Libyan team's offense with a brilliant 23-point performance. He received significant support from Donovan Williams and Majok Deng, who scored 25 and 15 points respectively. The dominant display successfully erased a narrow one-point first-leg deficit, securing their place in the next stage.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Petro de Luanda pulled off an impressive comeback against Tanzania's Dar City to keep their title defense alive. Having suffered a shocking 88-82 defeat in the first leg, the Angolan powerhouse responded with a ruthless 83-69 win. Guard Chasson Randle spearheaded the attack with 20 points, while teammate Yanick Moreira contributed 16 vital points off the bench. The victory ensures that Petro de Luanda maintains its historic record of reaching the semifinals in all six editions of the tournament.

The other half of the bracket features an exciting clash between former champions Al Ahly SC and tournament debutants RSSB Tigers. The Egyptian side overcame a tough challenge from Senegal's ASC Ville de Dakar, winning 87-76 to progress on aggregate. On the other hand, the RSSB Tigers survived a dramatic 99-98 second-leg loss to Morocco's FUS Rabat. Despite the narrow defeat, the Rwandan hosts advanced to their first-ever BAL semifinal thanks to a massive 23-point victory margin from their first-round meeting.

The upcoming single-elimination semifinal matchups promise high-stakes drama and continental rivalry. On Wednesday, May 27, home side RSSB Tigers will face the formidable Al Ahly SC of Egypt. The following day will feature a highly anticipated rematch of the 2024 BAL final as Petro de Luanda takes on Al Ahly Ly. All remaining teams are battling for a spot in the grand finale scheduled for May 31.

Four Heavyweights Book Spots in 2026 Basketball Africa League Semifinals

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