So much to look forward to at FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2016

SHEFFIELD (Julio Chitunda's African Message) - Twelve basketball clubs from nine African countries are set to fight for this year's FIBA Africa Champions Cup (Cup) crown in Cairo, Egypt, with a lot at stake.

The ACCW 2016 will run from 7-16 December with the following 12 clubs: Al Alhy (Egypt), Primeiro Agosto (Angola), Recreativo do Libolo (Angola), GS Petroliers (Algeria), Nzui Manto (Cameroon), BEAC (Cameroon), AS Bairro (Cape Verde), AS Sale (Morocco), Kano Pillars (Nigeria), Customs (Nigeria),  Club Africain (Tunisia) and City Oilers (Uganda).

Al Alhy on a mission to change the course of history

As the only Egyptian side in the competition, Al Alhy have increased responsibilities, and they are calling on local fans to turn up for the games.

According to the club, half of the tickets have been sold in two days.

Al Alhy are expected to become more than Egypt's flag bearer and turn into the first Egyptian basketball club to win the tournament since Al Gezira did in 1996.

Ibrahim El Gammal headlines Al Alhy's roster that includes members of Egypt men’s national team.

Primeiro D'Agosto chasing title number 9

Clearly, Primeiro D'Agosto, the most successful ACC team with eight continental titles, are the team to beat.

The Angolans, who held a 10-day training camp in Portugal, will arrive in Cairo not knowing whether Emmanuel Quezada has been cleared to play. Quezada, who was named the ACC 2015 MVP, joined D'Agosto from local rivals Petro de Luanda, but the transfer is yet to be satisfied by the Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB).

With or without Quezada, Ricard Casas, the team's head coach, has stated that they will travel to Cairo to win the competition, no matter what.

Libolo out to prove 2014 title wasn't accidental 

Winners of the ACC 2014, star-studded Recreativo do Libolo have self-declared title contenders. 

And judging by the way they outplayed D'Agosto and last year's ACC champions Petro de Luanda is last month's FIBA Africa Zone 6 qualifier, Hugo Lopez's team look competitive enough to finish on the podium. Will they win the tournament? It's hard to tell especially because North Africa is highly represented in the tournament.

But they are in Cairo to prove that winning the ACC title two years ago wasn't accidental.

North Africa flavour

North Africa teams are always to beat, especially when a tournament takes place in that region of the continent.

This year, the North Africa contingent includes Club Africain (Tunisia), AS Sale (Morocco), GS Petroliers (Algeria) and Al Alhy.

Watch out debutant City Oilers are in town 

The one thing that Ugandans have pledged and have been living to up to their promise is that they want to become a basketball force on the continent. And so far things are looking for the only East Africa team in the competition.

After sweeping FIBA Africa Zone 5, City Oilers became the first team to arrive in Cairo. They held a week-long training camp in Alexandria before moving to Cairo.

With the likes of Kami Kabangu, Stanley Ocitti and Jimmy Enabu on the team, head coach Mandy Juruni, who served as Uganda's play caller at FIBA AfroBasket 2015, believes they will be a competitive side in Cairo.

No champions to defend title

Last year's ACC champions Petro de Luanda failed to qualify. Who will lift this year's trophy?

I suspect that Club Africain, Al Alhy and Libolo might have the last word.

Julio Chitunda

FIBA

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