Les Lionnes” missed out on Uganda. The Senegalese women were beaten by the «Gazelles» (85-83) in a match counting for the first day of Pool C, this Saturday, July 28, 2023.

After a difficult start to the match, the «Lionnes» managed to win the first quarter (17-21) thanks to the leader Cierra Dillard and the experienced captain Aya Traoré.

In the second quarter, the Ugandans were more enterprising causing difficulties for the Senegalese defense. The protected of Moustapha Gaye lost a lot of balls, which allowed the «Gazelles» to reconnect to the score. The Senegalese led at the end of the first two quarters (35-38).

When the dressing room came back, the «Lionnes» could not keep the score, they were dominated in the game thanks to the talented Jannon Jaye Otto, American naturalized Ugandan. The Ugandan team’s centrepiece, Otto, slammed 19 points allowing the Gazelles to win their match against Senegal (83-85).

Aya Traoré despite her 40 years, shone on the floor. The captain of the «Lionnes» spoke of her experience and finished best scorer and MVP of the game with 29 points.

Cierra Janay Dillard also shone. The Senegalese naturalized American scored 19 points. She finished second best scorer behind Aya Traoré.
On Sunday, Senegal and Mali meet on the floor of Kigali Arena for the second day of Pool C. A West African derby that promises sparks.

The 12 BAL teams are again divided into two conferences this year: the Sahara Conference and the Nile Conference. The first match of the Nile Conference will bring the Egyptian team of Al Ahly, newcomer to the BAL and the Mozambican team of the CFV – Beira at the Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex on Wednesday 26 April at 12:00 ET/ 18:00 CAT.

The Basketbal Africa League announced on Tuesday, April 25, the six teams that are preparing to play the group phase of the Nile conference from April 26 to May 06 at the Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex in Cairo, Egypt.

The six teams – Al Ahly (Egypt), Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), City Oilers (Uganda), Club Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (Petro de Luanda; Angola), Clube Ferroviário da Beira (CFV – Beira; Mozambique) and Seydou Legacy Athlétique Club (S.L.A.C; Guinea) – include 78 players from 15 countries in Africa, Oceania and the United States, including two former NBA residents, nine players in the NBA G League, 20 former Division I members in the NCAA, six NBA Academy Africa prospects and 15 former participants in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Africa camps. Al Ahly and the City Oilers will make their first appearance at the BAL, while the Cape Town Tigers, CFV – Beira and S.L.A.C will have their second consecutive appearance. 2022 Vice-Champion, the Luanda Petro has competed in all three BAL seasons.

The journalist Ahmadou Bamba Kassé of the Senegalese News Agency (Aps) has been at the helm of the Senegal Union of Information and Communication Professionals (Synpics) since Saturday 26 January 2019. He lent himself to our questions in the field of sport in general, but basketball and football in particular.

Much more under the name of Bamba Kassé is a sports enthusiast. Of all sports. With a slight penchant for basketball and football. And he doesn’t have his tongue in his pocket. With him, the language is never of wood; he says loud and clear what he thinks, regardless of his detractors. At our microphone, he gave his impressions on the sport in a friendly atmosphere. Over the years, Bamba Kassé has established himself as an essential sports journalist in the Senegalese sports press. For many viewers, Bamba Kassé is a pragmatic man who analyzes facts without emotions.

Bamba Became a sports journalist out of love and passion for sport, especially after the 2002 Football World Cup where Senegal beat France to the punch, Holder of the title, Bamba Kassé is today the National Secretary General of the Syndicat des professionnels de l’information et de la communication du Sénégal (SYNPICS).

As a major figure in the sports press, the journalist insists in this interview, the lack of political will in sport, especially basketball. According to Bamba Kassé: “Senegal is struggling to introduce more and more young people” who can take over after Gorgui Dieng. On African sport, he says: “Africa has not yet realized that it has all the resources to launch its own sports industry” as can be seen on the European and American continent. In terms of population, in terms of youth, Africa is largely above other continents. According to him, “Africa is a force that ignores itself,” he stressed..

Bamba Kassé obtained a higher degree in journalism from CESTI/Cheikh Anta Diop University and quickly became interested in sport. As a result, he has developed a career in communications, marketing and sports career management. Journalist of the Senegalese News Agency (APS) and fervent activist for better treatment of workers of the Senegalese public agency, he is today an essential figure of the Senegalese press.