May 17, 2023

Playoffs rosters confirmed – Who are the new signings heading to Kigali?

The final rosters for the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Playoffs have been finalized. Six teams made significant changes compared to their conference campaigns.

The eight-team Playoffs gets underway on Saturday, May 20th and finishes on Saturday, May 27th in Kigali, Rwanda.

No changes are registered at coaching positions, but a few players have been let go.

Both Ferroviario da Beira and Petro de Luanda kept their entire rosters from the Nile Conference.

Find below the updated final quads heading to the Kigali showdown.

ABIDJAN BASKET CLUB (Ivory Coast):

Final roster: Abdoulaye Harouna, Stephane Konate, Ulrich Kra, Faman Koné, Moussa Koné, Hamadou Sylla, Mike Fofana, Ismael Diarra, Kouadio Yao, Joy Ighouoja.

In: Omar Abada, Tylor Ongwae and Ousmane Drame.
Out: Don Alex Robinson Jr, Chris Obekpa and Chudier Bile.
Head coach: Liz Mills.

Tunisian international player Omar Abada is returning to the BAL after helping US Monastir to the second place of the inaugural BAL season.

CAIRO, EGYPT - MAY 21: Drame Osmane #42 of the AS Salé dribbles the ball during the game against the Clube Atlético Petroleos de Luanda on May 21, 2022 at the Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Armand Lenoir/NBAE via Getty Images)

Just like Abada, Ousmane Drame is set to appear in the BAL for the second time, having featured for AS Salé, under Liz Mills last season.

Meanwhile Tylor Ongwae is new to the BAL. He last played for Parma in the VTB United League.

Ongwae played under Mills during her tenure at the helm of Kenya national team.

AL AHLY (Egypt):

Final roster: Amr Zahran, Nuni Omot, Ehab Amin, Amr Gendy, Seinfeldin Said, Corey Webster, Michael Thompson, Mohamed Abdelkawy, Omar Oraby, Ahmed Ismail, Dramane Camara, Ahmed Desouki.

In: Michael Fakuade and Omar Azab.
Head coach: Augustin Bosch.

KIGALI, RWANDA - MAY 23: Michael Fakuade #24 of Zamalek goes after a rebound against Alkaly Ndour #00 of AS Douanes during the second half at Kigali Arena on May 23, 2021 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by Nicole Sweet/BAL/Basketball Africa League via Getty Images)

Michael Fakuade isn’t new to the competition. The Nigerian-American was part of the BAL-winning Zamalek squad in 2021.

Fakuade, who is reuniting with coach Agustin Bosch, contributed a game-high of 15 points off the bench to help Zamalek beat US Monastir in the 2021 BAL Final.

CAPE TOWN TIGERS (South Africa):

Final roster: Samkelo Cele, Evans Ganapamo, Somusa Mthembu, Liam Reid, Dylan Whitbread, Lebesa Selepe, Nkosinathi Sibanyoni, Zaire Wade, Pieter Prinsloo, Lebohang Mofokeng, Parby Musongela, Michael Gbinije.
In: Marvin Smith Jr.
Out: Joshua Hall.
Head coach: Rasheed Abdulrahman.

AS DOUANES (Senegal):

Final roster: Jean Jacque Boissy, Alkaly Ndour, Samba Fall, Madiara Dieng, Mamadou Lamine Diop, Mouhamadou Diagne, Bara Diagne, Chris Crawford, Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Khaman Maluach, Michael Ifeanyichukwu.
In: Adama Diakhite and Pape Maguet Diop.
Out: Terrell Stoglin and Cheikh Ahmet Kamara.
Head coach: Mamdou Gueye.

DAKAR, SENEGAL - MARCH 12: Adama Diakhite #28 of the Dakar Université Club shoots the ball during the game against the Union Sportive Monastirienne on March 12, 2022 at the Dakar Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Pape Emir/NBAE via Getty Images)

Adama Diakhite made his BAL debut last season with Dakar Université Club (DUC).

The 6’9 left-handed center led DUC with team-highs of 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

RWANDA ENERGY GROUP (Rwanda)

Final roster: Adonis Filer, Cleveland Thomas Jr, Pitchou Manga, Delwan Graham, Olivier Shyaka, Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, Ntore Habimana, Dieudonne Ndizeye, Pascal Nyonkuru, Jean Umuhoza, Ulrich Chomche.
In: Axel Mpoyo.
Out: Prince Muhizi.
Head coach: Dean Murray

DAKAR, SENEGAL - MARCH 11: Axel Olenga Mpoyo #21 of the Rwanda Energy Group drives to the basket during the game against the Dakar Université Club on March 11, 2022 at the Dakar Arena. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Pape Emir/NBAE via Getty Images)

Axel Mpoyo is a regular member of the Rwandan national team. He contributed 5.5 points per game during the 2022 Sahara Conference.

STADE MALIEN (Mali):

Final roster: Souleymane Berthe, Namakan Traore, Tamandjan Konate, Mamadou Keita, Aliou Diarra, Makan Keita, Mohamed Pare, Soumalia Sissouma, Kelvin Amayo, Rueben Chinyelu, John Wilkins.
In: Gregory Foste rand Ibrahima Diallo
Out: Oumar Bakayoko and Brian Brigeforth.
Head coach: Kaba Kante.

FERROVIARIO DA BEIRA (Mozambique):

Final roster: Hilario Malale, Ismale Nurmamade, Ayad Munguambe, Bourama Sidibe, Celio Chirombe, Daniel Mutacate, Elvis Houana, Najael Young, Luis de Barros, William Perry, Tomas Fijamo, Makhtar Gueye, Paul Mbiya.
Head coach: Luis Hernandez.

PETRO DE LUANDA (Angola):

Final roster: Gerson Domingos, Childe Dundao, Carlos Morais, Jone Pedro, Souleyman Diabate, Glofate Buiamba, Aboubacar Gakou, Gerson 'Lukeny' Goncalves, Pedro Bastos, Damian Hollis, Anadji Chime, Ater Majok, Seifeldin Hendawy.
Head coach: Jose Neto.