Libyan basketball is winning the hearts of a nation

 

MONASTIR (Tunisia) - They last competed at a major continental competition back in 2009, but a group of talented and hardworking young Libyan players is taking African basketball by a storm and winning the hearts of a nation. 

Libya concluded their first round of the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers with a remarkable 2-1 record thanks to wins over Nigeria and Uganda and a tough loss to Cape Verde in Group B. 

They are not yet qualified to next year’s African Championship, but Libya are a step closer to FIBA Africa’s flagship tournament.

The majority of these Libyan players were young teenagers when their country played as hosts of the 2009 African Championship in Benghazi and Tripoli.

This Libya teams is worth as a whole, but some names to keep in mind include Jalal Saeid, Naseim Badrush, Sofian Hamad, Mohamed Sadi, Ghayth Almaghribi, and Mohamed Buzgaiya.

Now, team captain Mohamed Sadi says, “people back home are switching to basketball” because of their recent success.

”Thanks to our fans, family in Libya we feel encouraged by their support. We are going to keep fighting for them,” Said appreciated.

“I am blessed to have such players because they are warriors. They have deep feelings for their country. These guys are offering dreams and inspire young players. It’s a beautiful spirit to witness,” Libya head coach Fouad Chakra said.

In addition to Libya’s 2-1 record in the Qualifiers, Libya beat Morocco 146-138 on aggregate in a two-game Pre-Qualifiers series.

Libya were the second most supported team at Monastir Salled Mohamed Mzali arena after host Tunisia. 

Libyan fans really made their presence felt, and the team reacted with impressive performances during the three-day event.

“The media back home are going crazy. Football is the number one sport in Libya, but now everyone is switching to basketball. It’s a great feeling,” Sadi explained.

Libya will need to finish in the top three places of their group to qualify to the 2025 AfroBasket.

As a result of their lack of participation at FIBA Africa competitions in recent years, Libya does not have enough points to appear in the FIBA World Rankings, but they are putting their country’s name back on the African basketball map.

“I was a young boy when country hosted the AfroBasket in 2009. One day I took a shoe of number 6 of Angola [Carlos Morais]. He was my favourite player. Now I am going to play against him (maybe) at AfroBasket. The dream is coming true,” Sadi pointed out. 

He added “Thankfully we have a coach like coach Fouad. I am really proud of him.”

Uganda head coach Mandy Juruni admitted that “Libya is a good that plays really hard. They are well-coached.”

The AfroBasket Qualifiers resumes in November 2024 before it concludes on the third qualifying window in February 2025

FIBA