By Dali Dzingwa.
The Basketball National League (BNL) announced that FIBA Africa has formally confirmed the registration of Soweto Panthers Basketball Club as South Africa’s representative for the Road to BAL 2027 qualification cycle.
This confirmation follows Soweto Panthers’ triumph as the 2026 Basketball National League Champions and represents an important milestone for South African basketball.
The confirmation concludes a process of engagement involving the BNL, FIBA Africa and the relevant South African sport authorities regarding South Africa’s participation in the official continental club qualification pathway. The outcome ensures that South Africa’s champion club will have an opportunity to compete for a place in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Africa’s premier professional basketball competition.
The Basketball National League welcomes this development as a positive step forward for the growth and advancement of basketball in South Africa. It affirms the principle that sporting achievement should create opportunities for clubs, players and coaches to compete at the highest levels available to them.
Soweto Panthers have earned this opportunity through their success on the court during the 2026 season. Their participation in the Road to BAL will not only represent the Club, but will also represent South African basketball and the many players, officials, supporters and stakeholders who continue to contribute to the development of the game across the country.
The BNL wishes to place on record its appreciation to Julien Farran, Executive Director of FIBA Africa, and the broader FIBA Africa leadership for their constructive engagement throughout the process. The League also acknowledges the support of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Honourable Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture for their role in enabling this positive outcome for South African basketball.
The League further congratulates the players, coaches, management, supporters and broader Soweto Panthers family on this achievement. Established in Meadowlands, Soweto, in 1986, the Club has built an enduring legacy of competitive excellence, youth development and community upliftment over four decades. The opportunity to represent South Africa on the continental stage is a fitting recognition of that contribution.
While the Club’s participation has now been confirmed, the BNL notes that participation remains subject to compliance with all applicable sporting, eligibility, administrative, financial and regulatory requirements prescribed by FIBA Africa. The League and the Club are already engaging on the necessary preparations to ensure full compliance and readiness for the competition.
The BNL has also commenced engagements with commercial and strategic partners to support the campaign and ensure that South Africa’s representative is appropriately equipped and prepared for the challenge that lies ahead.
Commenting on the announcement, BNL Chairman Dr Albert Sepatake Mokoena said: “This is an important day for South African basketball. We are delighted that South Africa will be represented in the Road to BAL by a club that earned this opportunity through sporting merit. We congratulate Soweto Panthers and wish them every success as they prepare to represent both the League and the country. This achievement demonstrates what can be accomplished through persistence, constructive engagement and a shared commitment to the growth of basketball in South Africa.”
The Basketball National League will provide further updates as preparations for the Road to BAL 2027 campaign continue.