ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - Defending champions Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC) carried the day when the Elite women's club competition was hosted in their backyard last year, and have a target on their backs as they make their way to Marius Ndiaye Arena in Dakar, Senegal.
The side is chasing a third consecutive African title, having won the competition in 2022 before it was rebranded to AWBL and later Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA)
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE 2024 WBLA
A direct ticket to this year's competition for the Egyptian silver medalists means they did not play in the Qualifiers last month.
Last year, ASC won the African title in front of their home fans, beating Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) 103-59 to finish the competition unbeaten.
Two of their players, Cierra Dillard who was crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Hagar Amer (2023 MVP) made the team of the tournament. They, however, miss the 2024 championship with the new-look ASC.
KEY PLAYERS IN THE TEAM
The side has made seven changes to the squad that played in 2023.
Led by American guard Lianna Tillman, the new team also has Kristen Spolyar who until October played in Puerto Rico for Hatillo and Nigerian Ifunanya Okoro who featured for Kenya Ports Authority in the 2022 African competition, making the All-Star team.
Egyptian talents Hala Mustafa, Malak Noaman, Aya Elfiqi, and Haya Abdelal complete the list of newcomers who hope to propel the side to yet another African title.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS
Led by 26-year-old Asraf Maged, ASC are not short of talented ballers who have represented their countries internationally.
Others include Hala Mustafa, Nourhan Ahmed who was part ASC's title-winning squad for the last two editions, Nour Ali (3x3), Aya Elfiqi and Haya Abdelal who has also featured in the U18 AfroBasket. Nigerian Okoro has also been part of the dominant national team, featuring in this year's Paris Olympics.
YEAR OF CREATION AND OWNERSHIP
The team was created in 1890 and is one of the oldest Egyptian and African clubs. Mr Ahmed Hassan is the president.
HEAD COACH
Coach Amr Assem comes highly recommended, having served as the assistant coach in Egyptian national team at 2019 Women's AfroBasket. He has also coached the national U23 3x3 team.
WHERE THEY PLAY HOME GAMES
ASC play in the 16-team Egyptian League and have their home matches at the ASC Hall that hosted last year's event in Alexandria.
FIBA