[FuzzyRussianHat]

2023 was the second season that promotion and relegation was active in the African Second League. Maputo was one of the first relegated away from the African Association’s top tier in 2022, but they Grandpa Simpson’d their way back up. The Piranhas won the Southern Conference at 103-59, while their nearest foes were 95-67 Gaborone and 94-68 Comoros. Although they didn’t get promoted, both the Golden Bears and Chimps set new franchise bests.



Once proud Kinshasa couldn’t pull off the same immediate escape in the Central Conference, finishing fifth at 81-81. Mombasa took the top spot at 91-71, beating Juba by five games, Bahir Dar by six, and Mbuji-Mayi by seven. The Jungle Cats finished second in back-to-back years.



The seventh Second League Championship needed all nine games with Maputo defeating Mombasa in a classic battle.



Other notes: Even with the gimmick rules that lead to obscene scoring in A2L, Lubango’s pitching staff was especially bad. They had a team 7.11 ERA, allowing 1222 runs and 1126 runs; new conference worsts. On the other side, Gaborone’s 867 runs allowed were the second-lowest in conference history. Two no-hitters were thrown in 2023, which would be the only A2L season with multiple no-nos. There wouldn’t be another one thrown until 2030.