Two teams from Egypt have already lifted the title and as the country's representative Al Ittihad go to battle with a star-studded squad that includes a former Defensive Player of the Year award winner, expectations are high that they can go on and emulate the successes of rival Egyptian teams.
Last Updated on
April 5, 2025
Ambitions are high for Egyptian powerhouse and domestic league record champions Al Ittihad Alexandria as they go to battle at the star-studded 2025 Kalahari Conference tipping off at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat from April 5-13.
The Alexandria-based side qualified for the premier African men's club competition automatically as the Egyptian champions and, as they face three other teams in the Kalahari Conference, the Ahmed Soliman-led side would very much love to continue the success streak for Egyptian teams, and join compatriots Zamalek and Al Ahly Sporting in getting the ultimate prize, the fifth BAL title.
Al Ittihad go up against Faith Union Sport (FUS) Rabat on the opening day of action, Saturday 5 April, before taking on Stade Malien, the only side in Kalahari to have qualified through Road to BAL, on Sunday, and Nigeria's River Hoopers, on 8 April. The repeat matches are set for 10 April against Stade Malien, 12 April against River Hoppers and a day later play FUS Rabat to complete their campaign.
Coach Soliman, a 1988 Seoul Olympian with Egypt, returned to Al Ittihad last year after two decades as a coach in the United Arab Emirates to lead them to the 2024 Egypt Super League title, and this is success that his charges are keen to build on.
Ahead of action in Rabat, the tactician drafted in some talented players led by former Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks player, George King, Egyptian international, Anas Mahmoud, the only 2025 Kalahari Conference player to have lifted the BAL trophy when he won the inaugural edition with Zamalek. He is a BAL Defensive Player of the Year winner as well.
King, who will be playing in the BAL and in Africa, for the first time says that he is here to win.
"I don't feel any pressure at all. It's just my personality. Obviously, I'm a human being and I have my emotions, but that's the beauty of me, because when some people feel pressure, they feel the need to panic, whatever the case may be. This is basketball. Obviously, I am a competitor. I want to win," he told BAL.com, asked whether the team is under pressure to follow in the footsteps of their Egyptian compatriots.
King is expected to lead the back court alongside former Monastir guard Christopher Vinales while Mahmoud, returning for his third season, will be the go-to on defense, joined by fellow power forward Majok Machar Deng.
Mahmoud and South Sudan Bright Stars' Deng are expected to lead the side on defence, but have the pedigree to make a difference on the offensive end of the floor as well.
Deng, an Olympian from Paris who was also part of Stars at the World Cup, made his BAL debut with Libya's Al Ahly Ly, leading them to silver, losing the title to Petro de Luanda.
"We have experienced coaches who structure us in a certain way, but we also have experienced players. The combination is a nice marriage. We're still relatively young, so it's kind of cool to be in the mix of that flow. I don't want to say too much. I will let the game speak for us," King added.
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