Ghanaian basketball side Spintex Knights have qualified for the Elite 16 of the Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) for the third consecutive time after winning all three matches in the 2027 qualifiers held in Tripoli, Libya.
The three-time Accra Basketball League champions opened their Group B campaign with a hard-fought 96-90 victory over Guinea’s Nabaya Soya before recording an emphatic 88-66 win against Liberia’s NPA Pythons.
The Nobles sealed their qualification in style with a 92-71 triumph over Benin’s Energie BBC to finish top of Group B with a perfect record of three wins from three matches.
James Amotoe, Justin Uwitonze and Khyree Temple were named Players of the Game in the three matches, respectively.
Amotoe delivered an impressive performance against Nabaya Soya, scoring 29 points, grabbing six rebounds and providing 12 assists.
Uwitonze followed with 24 points and nine rebounds against NPA Pythons, while also converting eight three-point shots to help the Knights secure their second victory.
Temple was equally influential in the final game against Energie BBC, recording 22 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.
Ahead of the qualifiers, Spintex Knights strengthened their squad with the signings of Rwandan player Justin Uwitonze, Senegalese Pape Ndiaye and Nigerian Emmanuel Ummofia.
The qualification marks another important step for the Ghanaian side as they continue their pursuit of a place in the Basketball Africa League, which brings together top club teams from across Africa.
The Road to BAL serves as the qualification pathway for clubs seeking to compete in the continental competition. The Knights will now await confirmation of the Elite 16 dates and venue while returning to Ghana to continue their Accra Basketball League campaign and prepare for the next stage.
By: Victoria Kwofie
