The race for the last qualification slot for the final tournament of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) season three is between debutants Bangui Sporting Club, a Central African Republic outfit which boasts Rwandan shooting guard Kenny Gasana features, and Mali’s Stade Malien. The two sides made it to the West Division Elite 16 after making waves in the qualifiers in both Yaounde (Cameroon) and Niamey (Niger Republic) last month, October. The Bangui-based side remained unbeaten until Friday, November 18 when they lost to Seydou Legacy Athletique Club of Guinea in a semifinal duel. Stade Malien have, so far, performed well and given fans something to be cheerful for in the Elite 16 where they dominated Group B before falling a second time to Abidjan Basket Club. Bangui Sporting Club are coached by former Ivorian International Alpha Mane; whose team enjoys some sort of support from the Ivorian fans because of the close affinity between some of the team backroom staff who are also Ivorian. But that may not count as Stade Malien will look to snatch the ticket. Stade Malien boast a better offense with a total of 301 points. The Malian champions averaged 75 points in the previous four games, while Bangui Sporting Club scored 262 (65 points per game), but at this level past record may not count as whoever manages to win, even by a point, gets the much sought-after ticket for the BAL. So, mistakes must be kept minimal while offense must be polished. Key players to look out for Coach Mane will put the destiny of his side mainly in the hands of centre Kendall Gray who has been very effective for the Bangui-based side from both ends of the court. Gray's effectiveness will depend on the readiness of forward Rolly Fula, guard Kenny Gasana and captain Jimmy Djimrabaye, among others. Stade Malien, on the other hand, will put their hope on shooting guard Souleymane Berthe, forward Aliou Fadiala Diarra, guard Mamadou Keita and captain Makan Keita, to get the job done.
