Scintillating Ahly hit FAP with second loss at 2024 WBLA

Scintillating Ahly hit FAP with second loss at 2024 WBLA

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Al Ahly of Cairo have asserted their tag as one of the favorites at the WBLA and left tongues wagging after a spectacular and convincing victory over FAP of Yaoundé in their second game in the competition.

Heading to the Marius Ndiaye arena in Dakar, the Egyptians were bustling with confidence, having fallen short of 100 points battering MFM Queens 99-49. FAP of Yaounde rued their turnovers in Game 1 after a spirited first half had been dwarfed by a remarkable comeback from host side ASCVD who picked up a win 57-54.

The form of both teams was this evident in the first quarter, as Ahly eased past FAP 24-13 in the first quarter, stepping up incredibly in the second with a 20-14 edge to close the first half with a dominant 44-27 lead.

The third quarter sealed the game as Ahly netted an incredible 27 points while FAP could barely keep the tempo. Ahly demonstrated lethal instinct within the key, shooting 69.77% and converting 66.67% of their chances on the charity line.

Ahly's athleticism kept fans entertained with 21 points from fast breaks, 14 second chance points and 15 points scored courtesy of FAP's turnovers.

Ahly's coach Tarek Abouzied rubbed his hands gleefully, satisfied with his bench as substitutes scored a combine 41 points. All Ahly players but for Reem Moussa scored at least a point with the quintuple comprising Dyaisha Chercye, Bryanna Richardson, Raneem Elgedawy, Tamara Ibrahim and Madjiguene Sane all netting double digits.

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FAP despite outrebounding Ahly 42-41 were dominated in almost all the facets of the game. FAP's coach however had some solace in guard Bryanna Campbell who scored an incredible 27 points. But Campbell's brilliance wasn't enough to save FAP, beaten by Al Ahly 89-63.

But despite conceding a second defeat, FAP's coach Lonteu Majolie recognized her player's inexperience was their achilles heel.

"I have a young squad with most making their debut at this level. Al Ahly beat us with experience and height advantage, they also had quick transitions that we struggled to keep up with. All the same I am impressed with my players and I know we will get better," she posited.

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[Imagery/Photography courtesy of FIBA]