BUKAVU (DR Congo) - The first thing that comes to mind about DR Congo's basketball clubs is the challenge they face to qualify to the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Chaux Sport were impressive in the Group Phase in Douala last week, but how far can they go in the 2025 Road to BAL West Division Elite 16?
Ever since Espoir Fukash carried the DR Congo flag in the 2022 BAL season, no other Congolese team was able to repeat that historic feat.
Virunga Basket tried it last season, but they came up short in the knockout stages of the 2023 Road to BAL.
Over to Chaux Sport now to go to Abidjan and have a try, but first, find below what the DR Congo's new champions are made of.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED TO THE 2025 ROAD TO BAL
It's fair to say third time's a charm for the Bukavu-based team, who reached the Coupe de Congo's Semi-Finals in the last three editions, but the last one they grabbed the opportunity with open arms.
Chaux Sport beat BC Terreur 73-65 last September to lift the most sought-after trophy in DR Congo's basketball scene to qualify for the 2025 Road to BAL.
QUALIFICATION TO THE ELITE 16
Not even hosts Kadji Sport Academy were able to stop Chaux Sport in last week's Group C held in Douala, Cameroon.
Chaux Sport wrapped up their trip to Douala with a perfect 4-0 mark to advance to the West Division Elite 16 in Abidjan.
HEAD COACH
Born on January 8, 1981, Nicolas wa Kashama is the man at the helm of the 'Gorilas' as the team is popularly known.
Originally based in Lubumbashi where coached youth and senior teams, he joined the club in March 2022 after being persuaded by the club's ambitious project.
Elise Mudiayi serves as the team's assistant coach.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS PLAYING FOR CHAUX
Pitchou Manga, Djack Kabuya and Franck Nyembo have represented the DR Congo before while Etienne Tametong Toko has played for the Cameroonian national team on a number of occasions.
KEY PLAYERS IN THE GROUP PHASE
Etienne Tametong Toko, a terrific shooter, and Kyliann Rotardier were Chaux Sport's primary scoring options while Franck Nyembo did a bit of everything on both ends of the floor. Pitchou Manga emerges the stopper, a man who dominates and protects Chaux Sport's pain with extreme ferocity.
CHAUX SPORT HISTORY
Founded in 2021, Chaux Sport is based in Bukavu in the east region of the DR Congo. It started as an Academy project before they got promoted to the top tier.
FIBA