Friday Might 22
Al Ahly EGY Vs AS de Dakar
RSSB Tigers Vs FUS Rabat
The 2026 BAL playoffs, which can happen in Kigali from 22-31 Might, have attracted pleasure from each native and worldwide followers.
Getting underway on Friday, Might 22, the playoffs will observe a brand new system by which groups will play a two-game collection within the quarterfinals, with the winners advancing to the semi-finals.
The primary quarter-final set sees Al Ahly of Egypt tackle Senegal’s ASC Ville de Dakar, adopted by the house aspect RSSB Tigers towards Morocco’s FUS Rabat.
This text offers a breakdown of the primary two video games of the 2026 BAL postseason.
Al Ahly EGY vs Dakar
This would be the second time that African giants Al Ahly have confronted off towards ASC Ville de Dakar, a workforce seeking to flip their fortunes round on the grand stage of African basketball.
When the Egyptian powerhouse and the Senegalese champions confronted off on the Sahara Convention in Rabat, Morocco final month, Al Ahly gained 76-72.
Al Ahly SC are at present on a four-game profitable streak, whereas Ville de Dakar aren’t a lot completely different, having gained three video games in a row to safe their place within the playoffs.
Though these two groups are aware of one another, vital modifications have occurred on both aspect since their final assembly, making this recreation unpredictable.
Samba Fall and Axel Toupane may very well be ASC Dakar’s main scorers, however they hope that the contributions of their veteran duo, Solo Diabate and Ater Majok, will carry them to new heights.
Kevin Murphy, who was a part of Al Ahly Ly's 2024 BAL runners-up, solely performed three of his workforce's 5 video games in Rabat, however his scoring intuition may very well be key. Becoming a member of Murphy in Al Ahly’s offence is Zack Lofton, who led the workforce in taking part in time, scoring, and assists.
Al Ahly appears to be favourites to win this two-game collection primarily because of its array of shooters who can rating in crucial conditions. The query, nevertheless, is whether or not the 2023 BAL champions can contest ASC Ville de Dakar’s physicality, which seem like their strongest asset.
RSSB Tigers (3) vs. FUS Rabat (6)
The RSSB Tigers and the FUS Rabat have by no means performed one another earlier than and will probably be forming one of the vital unpredictable collection.
The high-scoring RSSB Tigers will probably be relying on their residence courtroom benefit and the contributions of Craig Randall, who made historical past within the BAL. Because the fourth Rwandan workforce to play within the BAL, the Tigers have constructed a workforce able to turning into the primary to carry the trophy at residence.
Now of their third consecutive season, FUS Rabat will probably be aiming to achieve the semi-finals for the primary time.
Nonetheless, it may very well be deceptive to evaluate the 2 groups based mostly on their respective convention campaigns, as they confronted various kinds of opponents. However, the 2 groups have some similarities when it comes to their taking part in type.
Each groups are likely to play aggressively on the defensive finish of the courtroom, averaging round 29 defensive rebounds per recreation. Nonetheless, FUS Rabat's season excessive of 5.4 blocked pictures per recreation highlights their dominance within the paint.
An intensive examination of the report books reveals that the RSSB Tigers and FUS Rabat have adopted the instance of different groups by adjusting their rosters for the playoffs.
The Moroccan champions have been dealt a significant blow by the absence of deadly scorer Abdoulaye Harouna, who was dominated out with a hand harm throughout the Sahara Convention. They could even be with out playmaker Anthony Pritchard, whose efficiency in entrance of their residence followers final month had raised hopes throughout the workforce.
