April 18, 2026

No BAL teams from their countries? No problem! African players carrying the flags of their countries in the BAL

Since its inception in 2021, hundreds of players from all over the world have featured in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), but there are several African countries whose players have yet to appear in the league.

Our research shows that US players represent the largest group of imported players, with BAL teams hiring 86 since 2021.

Other non-African nationals who have played in the league are from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Spain, Great Britain and Lebanon.

According to BAL regulations, teams must have at least seven local players, and the rest of the 13-person squad can come from other parts of the world.

Looking at past BAL rosters, it can be seen that GSP Petroliers of Algeria remain the only team to have competed in the league with a 12-man roster consisting entirely of players from their own country.

*Richaud Pack #15 of Kriol Star Basketball looks on during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar during the Sahara Conference Group on April 27, 2025, at Dakar Arena in Diamniadia, Senegal.*

As of 18 April 2026, 23 out of Africa’s 54 countries had teams in the league. However, the number of African countries represented in the league could be higher if we include the six countries that had players in the BAL.

This article highlights players from countries without a team in the league who are representing their nations in the BAL.

Although Sierra Leone, Ghana, The Gambia, Niger, the Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe have never had a team in the BAL, some of their players have starred in the league over the years.

Abdoulaye Harouna (NIGER)

*Abdoulaye Harouna #10 of the AS Salé shoots the ball during the game against the Dakar Université Club on March 15, 2022, at the Dakar Arena.*

One of the most familiar faces in the BAL, Abdoulaye Harouna hails from Niger. Although local teams from Niger have entered the FIBA-run Road to BAL qualifiers, they have fallen short.

Harouna is set to play for FUS Rabat in the 2026 Sahara Conference and is one of the few players to have played in every BAL season to date. He has played for FAP (Cameroon), AS Sale (Morocco), ABC Fighters (Côte d'Ivoire), AS Douanes (Senegal) and ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal).

Renowned for his shooting ability, the 33-year-old shooting guard has been Niger’s leading representative in the BAL.

Another Nigerien to have played in the BAL is 17-year-old Almoustapha Hama Ide, who made his debut during the 2026 Kalahari Conference. Ide played for Al Ahly Libya as part of the Elevate Programme.

Conteh, Pack (SIERRA LEONE)

*Sita Conteh #23 of Kwara Falcons looks on during the game against the Stade Malien on March 14, 2023, at the Dakar Arena.*

Conteh was the first Sierra Leonean to play in the BAL. This occurred during the 2023 season, when he played for the Nigerian team Kwara Falcons.

Last year, he played for the Malawian team Bravehearts in the Road to BAL tournament, but they failed to qualify for the 2026 BAL season.

Meanwhile, Richaud Pack featured for Cape Verde’s Kriol Stars in the 2025 Sahara Conference.

Ali, Bryan-Amaning and Bashir Ahmed (GHANA)

Prince Ali #12 of the Al Ahly handles the ball during the game against the Al Ahly Ly during the Nile Conference Group play for the 2024 Basketball Africa League season on April 20, 2024, at Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo, Egypt.

Over the last few years, Ghanaian teams have tried to join the BAL, but the dream has yet to be realised.

Nevertheless, players with Ghanaian links have made their mark on the league, including Prince Adams Ali, who played for Al Ahly SC in the 2024 BAL season.

The previous year, British-Ghanaian Matthew Bryan-Amaning helped AS Douanes reach the 2023 BAL Final.

Muhammed Bashir Ahmed, who is American-Ghanaian, featured for Uganda’s City Oilers in the 2024 season.

Dyvonne Pfachi (ZIMBABWE)

Dyvonne Pfachi #1 of Made By Ball Basketball drives to the basket during the game against Al Ahli Tripoli during the Nile Conference Group 2025 Basketball Africa League game on May 17, 2025, at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

Pfachi, a member of the Zimbabwean national team, made his BAL debut last season while playing for the South African team MBB.

Prior to this, the 31-year-old made his mark in the Road to BAL editions while playing for local clubs Mercenaries and JBC.

Viny Okouo (REPUBLIC OF CONGO)

*Marcel Viny Okouo #42 of the RSSB Tigers looks to pass the ball during the game against Nairobi City Thunder on April 5, 2026 at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.*

While playing for the DR Congo team ASB New Generation during the 2026 Road to BAL tournament in Cape Verde, Viny Okouo averaged 11.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, but the team failed to secure a qualifying spot.

However, when the Rwandan team RSSB Tigers approached him, the seven-foot center, who is from the Republic of Congo, accepted the offer immediately, making his BAL debut at the Kalahari Conference in Pretoria last month.

Omar Thielemans (GAMBIA)

*Omar Thielemans #13 of MBB dribbles the ball during the game against Nairobi City Thunder during the Nile Conference Group on May 24, 2025, at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.*

The Belgian-Gambian forward played for South African side MBB during the 2025 BAL season.