FIBA Africa has released schedule and host cities for the inaugural edition of the FIBA Africa Basketball League (FIBA ABL) set to tipoff in February.
The FIBA ABL draws which took place in Abidjan on Saturday, January 12th, 2019 saw 16 teams divided into four groups of four.
AS Sale will start their title defence against Rivers Hoopers, Js Kairouan and S.L.A.C in Group A. ES Rades, Elan Sportif, Civil Defenders and BC Terreur were drawn in Group B; Former champions Al Ahly were grouped alongside eight-time champions Primeiro de Agosto of Angola, Ferroviaro Beira and REG while Group D has Petro de Luanda, COSPN, BC Mazembe and Smouha.
The following cities have been awarded hosts of their groups; Group A will be hosted in Sale, Morocco; Group B in Cotonou, Benin Republic; Cairo, Egypt will play host to Group C while Group D will take place in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
FIBA Africa also confirmed respective dates when each group games will be played. Group C will begin theirs from February 8-10, followed by Group D from February 15-17, Group A will be played between March 1-3 while Group B will have theirs March 8-10.
Nigeria’s representatives, Rivers Hoopers and Civil Defenders will open their account against northern opponents on day 1 of their respective groups. Hoopers will take on continental champions and Group A host, AS Sale of Morocco while Defenders will face 2017 runners up ES Rades of Tunisia.
After this tournament, top two teams from each group will qualify for the next round
