Al Ahly secure inaugural FIBA Africa Basketball League place

DAR ES SALAAM (FIBA AfroLeague 2019) - Egyptian giants Al Ahly are the first team to secure a place in the upcoming first edition of the FIBA AfroLeague that is expected to tip off in January 2019.

Al Ahly defeated fellow countrymen Smouha 68-67 in a very highly contested final on Sunday in the Tanzanian capital to bounce back to the continental scene after taking a sabbatical last year. 

Smouha took an early 19-15 lead in the first quarter but Al Ahly kept within their reach to hold a two-point lead 34-32 at the half time break but Smouha were on top in the third period 46-44 in a thrilling game that had the crowd on the edge of their seats watching basketball at its best. 

To say that the hoops game can be cruel and that at the end of the day, there has got to be one winner in a game is to simply make matters lightly but indeed in the end, Al Ahly emerged victorious. 

Ibrahim El Gammal and Quinton Dogget dropped 17 and 15 points respectively while Hatem Behiry added nine to inspire Al Ahly to a hard fought victory against a Smouha side that brought their A game to their familiar foes. 

A game high 21 points for the incredible Ahmed Farag and Ebrahem Khalil's 11 points were not enough to guarantee a win for Smouha but for everyone that watched this final, Smouha will be remembered for their domineering performance in Dar es Salaam. 

REG from Rwanda edged Kenya Ports Authority 74-71 in the third place playoff to win bronze following a superb display from Englibert Beleck who scored a game high 27 points and picked six rebounds to hand Ruvugo Ngwise's side a deserved win. 

Veteran Kami Kabange added 17 points to help the Rwandan outfit finish as second runners-up in their first participation at the regional competition. 

Meanwhile, Al Ahly's Dogget was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament while James Justice (Smouha) with 118 points was the highest points scorer and Rabie Ashraf of Smouha was the top rebounder. 

Dogget headlined the tournament's All-Star Five that also has Justice (Smouha), Englibert Beleck (REG), Marwan Mohamed (Smouha) and Kami Kabange (REG). JKT from Tanzania won the Fair Play Award. 

FIBA