April 30, 2025

Six games down, six to go in the 2025 Sahara Conference

The 2025 Sahara Conference reached its halfway point on Tuesday night with uncertainty in the air.

With six games now played and six more to go to determine the conference's two automatic berths into the 2025 Basketball Africa League (BAL) postseason, all eyes are on the next moves of ASC Ville de Dakar (2-1), US Monastir (2-1), Petro de Luanda (1-2), Kriol Star (1-2).

In this article, BAL.NBA.COM looks at the highlights of the first three days of the conference.

It's not how you start that matters, it's how you bounce-back

*Cameron Robert Parker #14 of the Kriol Star looks on during the game against Petro de Luanda during the Sahara Conference Group on April 26, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.*

After losing to debutants ASC Ville de Dakar on the opening night, US Monastir has transformed itself from a team that raised doubts to a legitimate contender for the postseason.

The only team to win back-to-back games so far, they finished the first round of the conference 2-1, but not before making a statement by beating reigning champions Petro de Luanda 87-73. They are now 3-0 against Petro de Luanda dating back to 2022.

Forget US Monastir's poor start to the conference, Vasco Curado's team is now on a roll.

Meet the team with the habit of beating BAL champions

*Bara Ndiaye #11 and Devine Eke #23 of ASC Ville de Dakar celebrate after the game against Petro de Luanda during the Sahara Conference Group on April 29, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio.*

Two other teams (ABC Fighters and City Oilers) have beaten reigning BAL champions before, but beating two champions from the same conference in three days is unheard of in the league, but that's what makes ASC Ville de Dakar one of the hottest teams in the conference.

ASC Ville de Dakar beat US Monastir 70-67 on the opening night before stunning reigning champions Petro de Luanda 65-64 on Tuesday night.

They still have to figure out how they lost to Kriol Star 66-63, but whatever happens for the rest of the 2025 BAL season, the Senegalese champions have already made history.

What’s next for Petro de Luanda?

*Patrick Gardner #28 of Petro de Luanda celebrates during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar during the Sahara Conference Group on April 29, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.*

The Angolan champions took to the floor looking to bounce back from a 14-point defeat at the hands of US Monastir but were left reeling after a 65-64 loss to debutants ASC Ville de Dakar. It's the first time Petro de Luanda have lost two games in a row in the BAL.

The question on everyone's lips now is whether Petro de Luanda, the first sub-Saharan team to win the BAL, has enough firepower to get back on track. What's next for Petro de Luanda?

Lessons from the 2024 Sahara Conference

It's too early to count out anyone in the race for a postseason berth.

Recent history has shown that it's not over until it's over.

Last year, US Monastir lost three straight games in the first round of the Sahara Conference, but in a turn of events, they won three straight games to finish 3-3 and book their ticket to the postseason.

Perry and Eldridge

Osiris Eldridge #15 of U.S. Monastir handles the ball during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar handles the ball during the game during the Sahara Conference Group on April 24, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.

When it comes to lethal scorers, two players have made their mark in the first two games.

Will Perry (ASC Ville de Dakar) and Osiris Eldridge (US Monastir) each scored a tournament-high 23 points to kick off the 2025 BAL season. No other player has come close.

Double-Double machines

Ivan Almeida #23 of Kriol Star Basketball shoots a three point basket during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar during the Sahara Conference Group on April 27, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.

Ivan Almeida has done a little bit of everything for Kriol Star, and after three games, the 6’6” guard/forward is the only player with two double-doubles.

He helped Kriol Star to a 66-63 win over the hosts, finishing with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Two days later, he had 22 points and 12 rebounds in an 88-72 loss to US Monastir.

Petro de Luanda guard Childe Dundao and ASC Ville de Dakar forward Makhtar Gueye each had a double-double.

Most efficient offensive players so far

*Yanick Moreira #2 of Petro de Luanda drives to the basket during the game against ASC Ville de Dakar during the Sahara Conference Group on April 29, 2025 at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.*

Yanick Moreira is one of the players who has put up some stunning offensive performances over the first three days of play.

Before finishing with a 5-for-5 shooting night to go with 11 points (100% field goal) and seven rebounds in 22 minutes on the floor against Ville de Dakar, Moreira shot 5-for-8 from the floor to sign out with 16 points in a 103-74 win over Kriol Star.

Another standout performance came from Osiris Eldridge, who shot 8-for-10 from the floor for 23 points, including 7-9 from three, to help US Monastir past Petro de Luanda 87-73.

Biggest comeback so far

It's never easy to come from behind and win a game, but ASC Ville de Dakar have shown they're ready to defend their home court.

Their spirited attitude was on display as they came from 9 points down to beat Petro de Luanda 65-64 on Tuesday night.

As of April 30, ASC Ville de Dakar has overcome the largest deficit in the conference to win a game.

Fans at Dakar Arena

*A view of the arena during the game between the ASC Ville de Dakar and the Petro de Luanda during the Sahara Conference Group on April 29, 2025, at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, Senegal.*

If the fans of FUS Rabat showed unprecedented support for their heroes in Rabat earlier this month, the supporters of ASC Ville de Dakar weren't far behind, turning out in large numbers for all three games.

2025 Sahara Conference standings after three games

ASC Ville de Dakar (2-1)
US Monastir (2-1)
Petro de Luanda (1-2)
Kriol Star (1-2)

The 2025 Sahara Conference action resumes on Thursday, May 1.