Cairo (Egypt)- Al Ahly Sporting Club, one of the most storied teams in Egypt and Africa, are going all out to make a name in the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) debut that tips off December 6 in Dakar, Senegal.
The confidence is sky high and the team, who beat arch rivals Alexandria Sporting Club 88-65 at home in 2019 to finish third, believe they can challenge for the continental crown this year.
They will be going all out to emulate compatriots and reigning champions Alexandria Sporting who went on to claim back-to-back titles in 2022 in Maputo, Mozambique and 2023 at their own back yard.
Al Ahly SC have won Egyptian league titles 24 times, the Egyptian Super Cup 15 times, Egyptian Basketball Cup and Arab Women League once.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR THE 2024 WBLA
Al Ahly SC had little resistance in the FIBA Africa Zone 5 Qualifiers held in October in Zanzibar as they obliterated every opponent posting a century mark in all but one game in the 11-team show unbeaten.
Playing in Group A, Al Ahly SC enjoyed fine form as they easily ended the tournament unscathed winning all their matches on the card.
The Egyptians battled three teams overpowered all of them with consummate ease. Young Africans of Burundi fell 134-35 and the understaffed JKL of Uganda was whitewashed 100-61.
The onslaught continued with a 145-52 dismantling of home girls, Vijana Queens. They met Queens again in the quarter finals choking them 130-47 before humiliated Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the semi-final 104-63.
The last meeting was against Rwanda Energy Group (REG). The Rwandese champions slowed them down a bit but still suffered a 93-68 defeat.
KEY PLAYERS IN THE TEAM
Nadine Soliman Mohamed named MVP of the tournament and team’s best 3-point shooter, Raneem El Gedawy and Miral Ashraf are key.
Other stars include Senegalese Ndioma Kane who was named the best guard during the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Pre-Qualifier Tournament last August in Rwanda. Farida Wael and Reem Moussa are member of the Egyptian national team.
The team, which produced the legendary work horse Soraya Deghady, has also continued to unveil more star players onto the scene. All are capable of wreaking havoc.
NATIONAL TEAM PLAYERS
The team has then bulk of Egypt national team players led by Nadine Soliman Mohamed, Raneem ElGedawy, Miral Ashraf, Farida Wael, Dina Amr, Yarah Ossama and Tamara Nader.
NEW ADDITIONS
The team has added new players to their roster after the regional qualifier in Zanzibar. They include Senegalese Madjiguene Sene and Americans Breanna Richardson and Dyaisha Fair.
YEAR OF CREATION AND OWNERSHIP
Al Ahly SC, undoubtedly one the oldest teams in Africa, was established in 1907. The team president is Mahmoud El Khatib.
HEAD COACH
Tarek Khairy, an Egyptian, is the man tasked with calling the shots from the sides. He won the 2016 FIBA Africa Champions Cup (men's) with Al Ahly SC.
Khairy has handled Egypt National side as well as other local clubs. He also had a coaching stint in Saudi Arabia.
WHERE THEY PLAY HOME GAME
Al Ahly SC plays in the 16-team Egyptian League and have their home matches at their Sports hall in Cairo.
FIBA