Malawi basketball champions, Bravehearts, had a trip to forget in Zambia as they failed to qualify for the 2026 Africa Basketball League (BAL) Elite 16 for the second consecutive year.
After five days of intense competition in Lusaka, Zambia, Bravehearts finished fourth in the East Division with four points from five matches.
The team concluded the qualifiers on a high with 64-56 victory over Zimbabwe champions Harare Kings on Tuesday.
However, the victory was not enough to earn them automatic qualification to the BAL Elite 16.
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Munali Suns of Zambia, Dolphins of Botswana and Ferreviario de Beira from Mozambique qualified for the Elite 16.
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This means Bravehearts will be hoping to qualify for the Elite 16 on solidarity grounds.
Bravehearts patron Griffin Kalua said the team was keeping fingers crossed.
“We were the best losers after winning two matches out of five. We will wait for the organisers to decide,” Kalua said.
Last year, Bravehearts men also earned a wild card after an impressive performance in Kenya. Kalua admitted that the level of competition was high this year.
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“The players tried their best but other teams were too good for us. We will come back stronger next year,” he said.
Bravehearts also registered victories over Soweto Panthers 80-74 but lost three matches to Munali 76-66, Dolphins 78-74 and Beira 110-81.
During the qualifiers, backcourt duo of Ian Limbe and Faad Billy enjoyed a good campaign.
Bravehearts made history when they became the first team from Malawi to qualify for Elite 16 in 2024. Then, the qualifiers took place in Zimbabwe, where Bravehearts finished second.
