Saturday, November 2

Al Ahly 93-68 REG

Al Ahly Sporting Club emerged winners of the 2024 FIBA Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone 5 Qualifiers after beating Rwandan champions Rwanda Energy Group (REG) 93-69 on Saturday, November 2.

It was a hard-fought three quarters with Al Ahly SC leading 22-21 in the opening period while the second ended 17-all.

The second quarter had Tarek Abouzeid's side taking the third quarter 25-22. REG, however, crumbled under pressure in the final quarter, as they were dominated 29-8 for the final score.

It was anyone's game for 30 minutes, Al Ahly leading 64-60. REG lost their momentum, scoring three in the opening five minutes of the final quarter to trail 77-63 and there was no redemption for Julian Martinez's side.

Nadine Mohamed and Raneem Elgedawy led the numbers for the Egyptians with 23 points and 8 rebounds for the former while centre player Elgedawy managed a double-double on 20 points and 11 rebounds.

REG turned the ball over 23 times and were punished for it as Al Ahly SC scored 29 off of those, as they managed just 9 from the Egyptians 14 turnovers.

The side was also dominated on the paint 56-34, a majority of those points scored in the final quarter.

The two sides are headed to Dakar, Senegal with heads held high as they faced some formidable opposition en route qualification.

"It feels good to come here and win. Everyone was switched on from the first whistle and we fought as a team. We managed to stay focused to the last match and it feels good to head to the WBL-Africa as champions.

This has been a dream come true for most of us who have been part of this club since childhood. There's no time to celebrate, we head for training with our eyes in the African title," Al Ahly SC guard Nadine Mohamed.