The 2025 BAL final was the championship game of the 2025 BAL season, the third season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), and the conclusion of the playoffs. The final was played on 14 June 2025 at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa, which was the venue for the first time. The final was contested by Angolan club Petro de Luanda and Libyan club Al Ahli Tripoli.
Al Ahli Tripoli won the final, defeating the defending champions Petro, 88–67, becoming the first Libyan team to win the title, as well as the first team that qualified through the Road to BAL to win the league. As winners, Al Ahli qualified for the 2025 FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
Background Al Ahly Ly guard Solo Diabate played a in a record-extending fourth final, and had the chance to become the first player to win three BAL championships. Al Ahli Tripoli was favored by betmakers ahead of the final.
Previous finals In the following table, finals played in the FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup (ACC), the previous highest level continental competition, are in small text. TeamPrevious final appearances (bold indicates winners) Petro de LuandaBAL: 2 (2022, 2024)FIBA ACC: 8 (1994, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2015) Al Ahly TripoliNone
Road to the final
Al Ahli TripoliRound Petro de LuandaOpponentResultConference phaseOpponentResult Nile ConferenceStandings Sahara Conference MBBW 87–77Matchday 1 Kriol Star W 103–74 Nairobi City Thunder W 115–87Matchday 2 US Monastir L 73–87 APR W 90–68Matchday 3 ASC Ville de Dakar L 64–65 Nairobi City Thunder W 104–91Matchday 4 US Monastir W 78–68 APRW 106–102Matchday 5 ASC Ville de Dakar W 76–67 MBBW 102–73Matchday 6 Kriol Star L 69–71 (OT)OpponentAgg.PlayoffsOpponentAgg. Al Ittihad Alexandria L 74–85Seeding game APR L 57–75 Kriol Star W 107–81Quarterfinals US Monastir W 95–84 APR W 84–71Semifinals Al Ittihad Alexandria W 96–74
Petro de Luanda
After the successful previous season, veteran Jone Pedro left the club (after 5 years), along with Gerson Gonçalves (after 9 years), who signed a contract in France. The team reinforced themselves with Solo Diabate, who returned after one season in Libya, and Patrick Gardner. The season began with the Supertaça de Angola on November 24, 2024; Petro won the cup for an eleventh time after easily defeating Interclube in the game.
In January 2025, Carlos Morais left the team after 22 seasons with Petro, when he signed with Interclube. They also signed Rigoberto Mendoza. Petro was allocated in the Sahara Conference, and thus played the group stage games in Dakar. They finished second behind US Monastir and qualified for the playoffs.
On April 11, Petro won its 15th Taça de Angola (Cup) title after crushing Vila Clotilde in the final game. With their victory they tied Primeiro de Agosto's record for most cup titles won. On May 12, 2025, Petro announced the signing of Samkelo Cele to the team. On May 30, 2025, Petro successfully defended its national title by defeating Primeiro de Agosto in the finals in five games. It was Petro's eighteenth title, and the sixth consecutive championship. It was the second team to win six straight titles, following Primeiro de Agosto's streak between 2000 and 2005. Aboubakar Gakou was named the Angolan League MVP for a third time.
Al Ahly Tripoli
Game
Al Ahli Tripoli Statistics Petro de Luanda 23/50 (46%) 2-pt field goals 17/37 (45%) 8/28 (28%) 3-pt field goals 8/22 (36%) 18/22 (81%) Free throws 9/15 (60%) 25 Offensive rebounds 8 29 Defensive rebounds 22 54 Total rebounds 30 19 Assists 26 16 Turnovers 18 12 Steals 13 5 Blocks 5 19 Fouls 18
2025 BAL champions Al Ahli Tripoli 1st BAL title; 1st continental title
References