BAL 2025: Ghana’s Spintex Knights advance to next phase of qualifiers
Accra Basketball League (ABL) side Spintex Knights made history over the weekend, becoming the first Ghanaian team to reach the Elite 16 stage of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers.
The Nobles, who are seeking to become the first Ghanaian side to play in the Basketball Africa League advanced from the first phase of the ‘Road To Ball.’
The Ghanaian side played in the preliminary round of qualifiers last week in Libya where they faced Elan Coton from Benin, Cote d’Ivoire’s ABC Fighters and Mighty Barrolle from Liberia.
Knights began their campaign with a win over the Benin side before defeats to ABC Fighters and Mighty Barrolle. In their final West Division Group B game, they narrowly lost 69-73 to Liberia’s Mighty Barolle Basketball Club.
Despite the two setbacks, they were able to secure a place in the next round of qualifiers as they finished second in the group.
Spintex Knights, Mighty Barolle, and Benin’s Elan Coton ended the group stage with identical records but the Ghanaian team edged through on superior points difference, clinching the second qualification spot behind group leaders ABC Fighters.
The Knights are now one step ahead of Braves of Customs, Ghana’s first BAL representatives, who were unable to progress beyond the early stages in the 2019 edition.
The Nobles will now turn their attention to the Elite 16 which is expected to be staged in Ivory Coast next month.