Al Ahly Sporting Club: Dreamers with Playoff Ambitions

Egypt’s Al Ahly, reigning champions of the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL), enter the 2024 tournament as one of the favourites. Their resounding 80-65 victory over Senegal’s AS Douanes in the previous final cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with in African basketball.

Nile Conference Challenge

Participating in the Nile Conference, set to commence on April 19, 2024, at the Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex in Cairo, Egypt, Al Ahly aims for a playoff berth to defend their title. Their opponents in the group phase include Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya), Bangui Sporting Club (Central African Republic), and City Oilers (Uganda).

Key Players

Leading the charge for Al Ahly are seasoned players like guard Ehab Amin and power forward Amr Mohamed, pivotal figures in their previous victory. Supported by national team stalwarts such as center Omar Oraby and emerging talents like Karim Elgizawy and Seifeldin Hendawy, Al Ahly boasts a well-rounded roster.

Full Roster‍

Amr Sherif Mohamed Abdelhalim, Mahmoud Abouelnasr Abdelkawy, Tarek Khairy Moamen Abozeid, Karim Hatem Elgizawy, Ahmed Mohamed Moheib Abdel Alim Elmaraghy, Moustafa Mohamed Elmekawi, Omar Mohamed Farag, Seifeldin Kaidar Ahmed Youssef Hendawy, Mark Steven Lyons, Omar Tarek Oraby, Seifeldin Samir Saad Said, Ehab Mohamed Mohamed Amin Saleh and Marwan Mohamed Hassan Youssef Sarhan

Pursuit of Excellence

Reflecting on their historic win at the BAL and subsequent participation in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, Al Ahly remains motivated to secure another championship. Despite the formidable competition, the team is determined to make their mark on the international stage once more. Omar Oraby, a key player, expressed the team's aspirations:

"We made history in the tournament but bronze would have been something else. That’s one of the things that’s pushing us to try to win the BAL this year, so we can return to the Intercontinental Cup and try to achieve what we couldn’t do last year," he added.

"I know this year is going to be much tougher than last year. All the teams are getting much better and they’re bringing much better talent"

Glorious Legacy

With a legacy dating back to 1907, Al Ahly Sporting Club is not only the oldest Egyptian basketball team but also one of the most successful. Over its extensive history, Al Ahly has amassed an impressive array of achievements, including:

• Six Egyptian Super League titles.
• Ten Egyptian Cup victories.
• Eight wins in the Egyptian Associated League.
• More than 25 Cairo League championships.
• Triumphs in prestigious continental competitions, such as the FIBA Africa Clubs Champions Cup (2016) and the African Basketball Cup Winners' Cup (1998, 2000).

Upcoming Matches

Fans eagerly anticipate Al Ahly’s matches in the Nile Conference:

- April 19, 2024, 7:00 PM: Al Ahly Sporting Club vs City Oilers
- April 20, 2024, 7:00 PM: Al Ahly Sporting Club vs Al Ahly Benghazi
- April 22, 2024, 8:00 PM: Bangui Sporting Club vs Al Ahly Sporting Club
- April 24, 2024, 8:00 PM: City Oilers vs Al Ahly Benghazi
- April 26, 2024, 8:00 PM: Al Ahly Benghazi vs Al Ahly Sporting Club
- April 27, 2024, 8:00 PM: Al Ahly Sporting Club vs Bangui Sporting Club

Will fans rally behind Al Ahly Sporting Club as they pursue victory in the BAL Nile Conference 2024? Whether in person at the stadium or watching from home, their journey promises excitement and anticipation.

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[Image/Photography Credit: FIBA, Al Ahly Sporting Club and the Egyptian Basketball Federation]