April 13, 2026

Club Africain are back among the elite of African basketball after more than a decade

The historic Club Africain's wait to feature among the elite of African basketball is over.

The five-time Tunisian champions last appeared in a continental competition in 2014, winning bronze as hosts of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup.

After years of modest results in Tunisian basketball, Club Africain finally broke the spell in 2025 by dethroning US Monastir to win the Tunisian League final series 3–1.

Under the leadership of Omar Abada, one of Africa’s finest point guards, the Africains built a competitive roster, and the result spoke for itself.

*Omar Abada #12 handles the ball during the game against Kriol Star Basketball during the 2025 Basketball Africa League Playoffs on June 6, 2025, at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, Tshwane.*

The Tunis-based club is the second Tunisian team since US Monastir to represent the country in the BAL.

In the run-up to the 2026 BAL season, the Africains' roster boasts several talented players, including some who won the 2022 BAL title with US Monastir.

In the year of the 70th anniversary of the club's basketball section, Club Africain are viewing the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season as an opportunity to rebuild their domestic dominance and restore their reputation following their defeat by JS Kairouan in the 2026 Tunisian League semifinals.

Club Africain is one of three new teams set to compete in the Sahara Conference, alongside the Maktown Flyers and the JCA Kings.

Can Club Africain become the second Tunisian team to win the BAL trophy since US Monastir won it in 2022? Time will tell.

President of the BAL, Amadou Gallo Fall awards Michael Andre Dixon #00 of the US Monastir with the Hakeem Olajuwon BAL Most Valuable Player award after the game against the Clube Atlético Petroleos de Luanda on May 28, 2022, at the Kigali Arena.

Head Coach:

Antonio Pérez Cainzos, who is set to become the fourth Spanish head coach in the BAL, following in the footsteps of two-time champion Agustín Julbe (Zamalek in 2021 and Al-Ahly SC in 2023 and 2024), Luis Hernández (Ferroviário da Beira in 2022 and 2023) and Sergio Valdeolmillos (Petro de Luanda in 2024, 2025 and 2026).

Early in his coaching career, Cainzos served as an assistant coach for Spanish youth teams under renowned Spanish basketball figures such as Juan Orenga, Ricard Casas, and Diego Ocampo. Cainzos joined Club Africain in September 2025.

Key players:

*Oussama Marnaoui #7 of the US Monastir celebrates during the game against the River Hoopers during the 2024 Basketball Africa League Playoffs on May 27, 2024, at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.*

Some may experience a sense of déjà vu when Club Africain take to the floor in Rabat, as several of their players have featured in the BAL before. Players with BAL experience include former US Monastir Oussama Marnaoui, who won the 2022 BAL championship with Michael Dixon (who won the MVP award), Zief Chennoufi and Mohammed Abbassi. Omar Abada has played three seasons in the BAL for US Monastir (2021), ABC Fighters (2023) and FUS Rabat (2025).

Another key Club Africain player is American power forward Jamelle Hagins.

Standing at 6'9", Hagins brings his FIBA Champions League experience to the BAL.

At the time of writing, Club Africain had yet to finalize their BAL roster.