Stade Malien de Bamako suffered a serious setback in their quest for a place in the Basketball Africa League Elite 16, losing 77-90 to Algeria’s Nadi Basket Staoueli in the second round of Group A in the West Division of Road to BAL 2027 on Thursday 22 October.
The defeat leaves the Mali champions needing to defeat tournament hosts Al Ittihad in the third and final round. The Libyan side have won both of their matches and enter the final day as favourites for the group.
Stade Malien had opened the qualifying campaign with a walkover against Kriol Star, but Amara Traoré’s side were overcome by a determined NBS. They had an opportunity to secure their place before facing Al Ittihad, but that target slipped away in Staoueli.
A victory over the group favourites would restore their chances of reaching the Elite 16, while another defeat would end their qualification hopes.
