Yaoundé – Following the withdrawal of Chadian outfit Tempo BC, four teams will do battle in Group B of the 2022 Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in Yaounde from October 12 to 14.
With some household names in African basketball such as the likes on Kenneth Gasana and Max Kouguere.
Gasana is a two-time BAL participant while Kouguere, a regular member of the CAF national team, has spent most of his career in France and Switzerland.
Here’s an introduction of Group B’s four teams.
Bangui Sporting Club
In their first-ever Road To BAL participation, Bangui Sporting Club from the Central African Republic (CAF), have built a team competitive enough in their bid for a place in the BAL regular season.
Cameroonian Jean Claud Ntep is at the helm of the Bangui-based team, and will count on Alpha Mane as assistant coach.
New signings include Rwanda international player Kenneth Gasana, Max Kouguere (CAF), Cameroonian Patrick Nguepy and US duo of Matthew Binder and William Claiborn.
At first glance Bangui Sporting Club have the assets to cause some damage in Yaounde.
“Our main objective is qualification for the Elite 16,” noted the team’s President Cyrille Damango, a former CAF international player who retired in 2016.
AS Vita Club
Just like Bangui Sporting Club, AS Vita Club are making their first appearance in the Road to BAL.
The Kinshasa-based team clinched the 39th edition of the DR Congo Cup which was played in Lubumbashi last August after beating BC Terreur 70-62 in the final.
AS Vita Club become the second DR Congo side to compete in the Road to BAL after former champions Espoir Fukash, who represented DR Congo in Season 2 of the BAL.
Espoir Basketball Club
Espoir Basketball Club of Gabon are headed to Yaounde for their first major continental competition. They replace local champions Clash Time, winners of the Gabon Cup. Espoir Basketball are champion of the Estuary and vice-champion of Gabon.
According to the club, the objective is to qualify for the Elite 16 Round.
Nueva Era Basketball
The Equatorial Guinean club Nueva Era arrive in Yaounde as the two-time local champions although they are playing in the Road to BAL for the very first time.
Launched two years ago from a group of basketball enthusiasts led by Jules Cesar Micha Nfono.
Attracted by the BAL project, a partnership between FIBA and the NBA, Cesar decided to relaunch basketball the youth of his country. The team’s goal is to become regulars of the African basketball fraternity. – FIBA
