June 13, 2025

Meet the player looking to become the first three-time BAL champion

Only two players have won two Basketball Africa League (BAL) titles, and one of them could become the first three-time champion.

Solo Diabate won his first BAL title in 2021 while playing for Zamalek.

The following year, the Ivorian player won his second BAL title with US Monastir.

In 2023, Diabate joined Petro de Luanda, who dominated the Nile Conference with a 5-0 record, which included a 91-90 win against the eventual champions, Al Ahly SC of Egypt.

The Egyptian giants regrouped for the BAL playoffs, bringing in Michael Fakuade, who won his first BAL title in 2021 alongside Diabate.

*Michael Fakuade is seen here in action for Al Ahly SC during the 2023 BAL season.*

Fakuade hasn’t played in the BAL since 2023, but Diabate has played every season since then. He sought his third BAL title in 2024 while playing for Libya’s Al Ahly Ly, but they lost to Diabate’s current team, Petro de Luanda.

Diabate helped Petro de Luanda achieve a 3–3 record in the 2025 Sahara Conference.

The Angolan champions bounced back with a 2–1 record in the 2025 playoffs and are now one win away from becoming the first team to win back-to-back BAL titles. They are set to face Al Ahli Tripoli (8–1) in Saturday’s Final.

The BAL Final is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.

How has Diabate performed over the years?

Diabate wins the 2021 BAL title with Zamalek (Egypt)

*Solo Diabate #1 of Zamalek goes up for a shot against Serigne Bamba Gueye #22 of AS Douanes during the first half at Kigali Arena on May 23, 2021, in Kigali, Rwanda.*

Points per game: 10.4.
Field goal percentage: 43.9%.
Assists per game: 4.6.
Rebounds per game: 1.6.
Steals per game: 1.6.
Minutes per game: 18.2.

Diabate wins the 2022 BAL title with US Monastir (Tunisia)

*Solo Diabate #10 of the Union Sportive Monastirienne dribbles the ball during the game against the Clube Atlético Petroleos de Luanda on May 28, 2022, at the Kigali Arena.*

Diabate finishes fourth in the 2023 BAL season with Petro de Luanda (Angola)

Points per game: 8.3.
Field goal percentage: 34%.
Assists per game: 4.0.
Rebounds per game: 3.2.
Steals per game: 1.3.
Minutes per game: 25.3.

*Solo Diabate #00 of Petro de Luanda dribbles the ball against Stade Malien during the 2023 Basketball Africa League Playoffs on May 26, 2023, at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.*

Points per game: 7.1.
Field goal percentage: 40%.
Assists per game: 4.4.
Rebounds per game: 3.0.
Steals per game: 1.0.
Minutes per game: 20.8.

Diabate finishes second in the 2024 BAL season with Al Ahly Ly (Libya)

Solo Diabate #10 of the Al Ahly Ly drives to the basket during the game against the Petroleos De Luanda during the 2024 Basketball Africal League Championship on June 1, 2024, at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

Points per game: 11.3.
Field goal percentage: 50%.
Assists per game: 6.0.
Rebounds per game: 4.6.
Steals per game: 2.0.
Minutes per game: 32.

2025 BAL Season

In the lead-up to the 2025 BAL Final, Diabate averaged 6.3 points, 3.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals, shooting 37.1% from the field in 20.8 minutes per game.

Minutes after helping Petro de Luanda reach the 2025 BAL Final, Diabate said: "Once again in the final. But we can’t celebrate yet because there is one more game to play, and it’s the most important one."

Player Profile:
NAME: Souleyman Mouloukou Diabate
DOB: July 21, 1987
NATIONALITY: Ivorian
POSITION: Point Guard
HEIGHT: 6’0.