WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE AFRICA : Sporting Alexandria seeking a three-peat, eyes set on hosts ASCVD

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE AFRICA : Sporting Alexandria seeking a three-peat, eyes set on hosts ASCVD

It’s time for Africa’s top 12 women’s basketball clubs to converge on Dakar, Senegal, for the highly anticipated 2024 edition of the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA). This year, the spotlight is firmly on Egypt’s Sporting Alexandria, the two-time defending champions, and the host team, ASC Ville de Dakar (ASCVD).

For ASCVD, this tournament is more than a competition—it’s a chance to prove Senegal’s enduring status as a basketball powerhouse. It marks the first time in 25 years that Senegal is hosting Africa’s premier women’s club basketball championship, and the club is pulling out all the stops to deliver an unforgettable event.

“We have to rise to the challenge of organization,” said Yatma Diaw, chairman of ASCVD, in a press briefing with Senegalese media. “It’s been more than 25 years since Senegal last hosted this competition. Today, we have the chance to show Africa that we are still capable of hosting a world-class tournament.”

Diaw also highlighted the financial backing from key sponsors, including the City of Dakar, led by Mayor Barthélemy Dias, and several private sector partners.

But ASCVD’s ambitions go beyond hosting—they aim to claim the trophy on December 15. To that end, they’ve strengthened their roster with key signings, including Senegalese center Fatou Diagne, who previously played for Brazil’s Unimed Campinas and helped Sporting Alexandria win the championship last year. Rising star Aminata Ndong, a young point guard from GBA, has also joined the team under the guidance of head coach Tapha Gaye.

The road to victory won’t be easy, as ASCVD faces stiff competition from some of the continent’s strongest clubs. Sporting Alexandria, winners of the 2022 and 2023 editions, arrive in Dakar determined to defend their title.

Another formidable contender is Al Ahly SC, the second Egyptian team in the tournament. Led by Nadine Soliman Mohamed, the MVP of the WBLA qualifiers and the group’s most accurate three-point shooter, Al Ahly also boasts Raneem El Gedawy, a consistent double-digit scorer. This duo has made it clear that their team is in it to win it.

Rwanda Energy Group (REG) is also looking to make a statement. Guided by their dynamic star Destiny Philoxy, the Rwandans aim to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish after falling to Angola’s Interclube in the semi-finals. REG’s impressive performances in the WBLA qualifiers in Zanzibar suggest they’re a team to watch.

While the reigning champions and top-ranked contenders dominate the conversation, Nigeria’s Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) and wild-card entry Nigeria Customs could upset the balance. Meanwhile, teams like Congo’s CNSS, Rwanda’s APR, and Ivory Coast’s Friends Basketball Association have the potential to deliver unexpected surprises.

With the continent’s best players and clubs battling it out in Dakar, the 2024 WBLA promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent, ambition, and fierce competition. The question remains: Who will rise above the rest and lift the trophy?

[Photography : Courtesy of FIBA]