Unbeaten Spintex Knights stuck in Libya as $33,000 travel bill remains unpaid

Ghana’s Spintex Knights have been left stranded in Libya over an outstanding bill of around US$33,000, raising concerns about the team’s return home and preparations for the next stage of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers. The Accra Basketball League champions are unable to return to Ghana because of unpaid travel and visa expenses, despite securing an unbeaten record in the preliminary stage of the Road to BAL competition.

The club has appealed for financial support to settle the outstanding costs and enable the players and officials to return home. Spintex Knights recently booked their place in the Elite 16 after winning all three of their Group B matches in the Division West preliminary stage, maintaining their hopes of becoming the first Ghanaian club to qualify for the BAL.

Spintex Knights The team opened its campaign with a 96–90 victory over Guinea’s Nabaya Sofas before defeating Liberia’s NPA Pythons 88–66. They completed their unbeaten group-stage run with a 92–71 win over Benin’s Energie BBC. James Amotoe starred against Nabaya Sofas with 29 points and 12 assists, while Khyree Temple contributed 27 points and 15 rebounds.

Justin Uwitonze was instrumental in the victory over NPA Pythons, coming off the bench to score a game-high 24 points. Their performances secured another opportunity to compete at the Elite 16 stage, but the financial difficulties now threaten to disrupt preparations for the next phase of the competition. Spintex Knights are scheduled to play in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from November 10 to 15, 2026, where they will continue their pursuit of a historic BAL qualification.

The club will also be seeking to progress beyond the West Division semifinals after falling short against Ivory Coast’s Jeunesse Club d’Abidjan (JCA) last year, losing 93–82.