FUS Rabat of Morocco defeated Cape Town Tigers of South Africa 84-75 at Pretoria’s SunBet Arena, with Johnathan Jordan leading the former with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Four other FUS players scored double figures, securing their place in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs and finals at Kigali, Rwanda, in May. FUS finished on top of the Kalahari Conference (3-1), followed by Petro de Luanda of Angola (2-2) and the Tigers (1-3).
The Tigers’ Samkelo Cele (24 points) and Billy Preston (23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) led the team. Meanwhile, Nkosinathi Sibanyoni contributed seven rebounds and two blocks. However, the Tigers need to wait for the outcomes of the Nile Conference (April 19-27) and the Sahara Conference (May 4-12) to determine the eight teams for the BAL finals.
During halftime, award-winning music artist Cassper Nyovest performed, adding more energy to the sold-out SunBet Arena. The Kalahari Conference included several other music artists, such as Robot Boii, Primo Baloyi, Maglera Doe Boy, and Zee Nxumalo, and other sports personalities like Caster Semenya, Pearl Thusi, Sho Madjozi, Ronwen Williams, Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, Joakim Noah, and Ian Mahinmi. Pearl Thusi and Sho Madjozi also played a unified game on March 10 as part of the BAL’s collaboration with Special Olympics South Africa.
The NBA Store in Sandton also hosted Joakim Noah and Ian Mahinmi, where the two basketball players signed autographs, took photos with fans, and engaged with South African basketball enthusiasts.