GSP coach Boulahia: ''We will be outsiders at the BAL''

ALGIERS (Algeria) - The last decade has been one of total domination for Groupement Sportif des Petroliers in Algeria.

The outfit based in Algiers has reigned supreme on the Algerian basketball scene scooping a jaw dropping nine domestic championship silverware and adding a further nine Algerian cups to their trophy cabinet in the past 10 years.

While GSP's dominion on the Algerian scene is unquestionable, the thrills that come with being a continental heavyweight has taken centre stage in the outfit's policies.

Last year GSP demonstrated their mettle in the Elite 16 West division clinching the top spot and qualifying for the maiden Basketball Africa League (BAL) with their run to the final only blighted by an 87-85 loss to FAP.

GSP who've won the Algerian championship 20 times now hope they can change the continental order and establish themselves as African heavyweights.

"We are going to be up against the best teams on the continent who are used to playing at this level consistently. It's not going to be easy for us," GSP coach Sofiane Boulahia told FIBA.basketball.

"Also a lot of these teams have resumed their championships while we haven't and that gives them an advantage over us.

"We have a good group and we showed this during the Qualifiers. We hope to conquer Africa at the BAL."

But Boulahia and GSP's plans of stunning basketball diehards with their on court displays have been dented by the coronavirus pandemic and its fallouts.

The Algerian franchise hasn't been competitive in five months with all sports activities in the North African nation grounded since March.

"It's a very difficult situation for us. We are having to deal with a crisis as we haven't been competitive since March because of the coronavirus pandemic," Boulahia said.

"The team hasn't been able to train as a group since then and the players have been keeping fit with instructions from the coaching staff.

"But it's not the same as group training. At some point you can tell that the players are getting bored or losing motivation when they work out alone.

"The reason we played well at the Elite 16 was because we had a superb gear up to the Yaoundé tournament," Boulahia stated before chipping "We will be outsiders at the BAL because you can clearly decipher that this break hasn't helped us very much."

But while GSP officials seemed consumed with ensuring that the side provides proper competition to its opponents, Boulahia is excited by the prospect of his team having a larger following.

His team GSP will merge with Mouloudia Club Alger (MCA) for what they hope will be the solid foundations for a conquering team.

At its creation, GSP was part of MCA before a split in 2008 and Boulahia firmly believes reverting to the club's initial status will bring an added value to the club.

"When the club was created, it was known as MCA. Later the club split and GSP became solely basketball while MCA was in charge of football.

"In 2021, the club will be celebrating 100 years and for the centenary, the owners want a single outfit that will be running basketball, football and other sports.

"MCA never had a basketball team so it's an easy merger and fortunately for us, we'll be playing in front of a huger number of fans."

Boulahia now aged 47 has been a key figure in Algerian basketball. The former point guard featured for the North Africans at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2002 - their only appearance at the global event - contributing 5.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game as they finished 15th.

But close to two decades after what was seemingly the biggest push to the growth of the sport in Algeria, Boulahia believes the effervescence that comes with appearing at the BAL could increase the love for the game in the nation.

"Playing in the BAL is going to have such a great impact for basketball in Algeria," Boulahia stated.

"It's going to be something very positive for the players and coaches in the team but most especially it will be very beneficial for the club.

"Obviously other clubs will want to be like us. They'll become more competitive, have good players and eventually it's Algerian basketball that will benefit the most," he concluded.

FIBA