The Egyptian powerhouse, Al Ahly, set the tone early in their opening WBLA encounter in front of their home fans in Cairo when they crushed Côte d'Ivoire-based club, FBA, 91-62. Despite the delay in the game, the Egyptian outfit stuck to the mission and executed perfectly.
Last Updated on
December 6, 2025
Al Ahly wasted no time getting on the scoreboard when they scored from the jump ball with a layup by Hagar Amer. FBA struggled on the other side of the ball, sending Delicia Washington and Rose Macuei to the charity stripe, where they knocked down three of their four attempts. However, FBA also went on a 5-0 run to take the score to five points apiece. Hagar Amer then lined up a three-ball to take her tally to five.
Al Ahly scored back-to-back three-pointers to take a seven-point lead. Despite this run, they could not contain Djeneba Sangare, who erupted for 12 points in the first quarter. She put her offensive arsenal on full display as she scored layups, jump shots, free throws and a three-pointer. Al Ahly's efficient shooting from the perimeter proved too tricky for FBA to contain, as they had four different shooters convert from behind the arc in the first quarter. They enjoyed a 26-20 lead at the end of the quarter.
Both teams began the second quarter trading baskets. Raneem Elgadawy got the processings off to a positive start with four quick points. Still, FBA's impressive back-to-back three-point shooting from Djeneba Sangare and Priscilia Amalabian were the highlights of this early second quarter.
Thereafter, Al Ahly shifted up a gear, and they were firing on all cylinders as they went on a 12-0 run. Their defence was impenetrable and their offence flawless. Seven of the points were scored by Nadine Mohamed as she continued shooting the ball with pinpoint accuracy.
This run was momentarily disrupted by Zykera Rice when she made a free throw. However, FBA was caught a step behind as they continued fouling and sending Al Ahly to the line, where Hagar Amer made two free throws to give her team a 21-point lead. Priscilia Amalabian scored five points to cut the deficit to 16 before the break. Al Ahly were still in control, leading 48-32 at the half.
The third quarter started slower than the previous two, as both teams struggled to knock down shots, but Jeanna Cunningham broke that deadlock with a mid-range jump shot. Raneem Elgedawy then scored in the same fashion. There was then a two-minute dry spell before Raneem Elgadawy made another jump shot. This ignited both teams to trade three-point shots, which got the crowd excited. Hagar Amer showed just how smart she is as she continued to draw fouls and make free throws.
Rokia Doumbia scored a three-pointer, then completed a three-point play the traditional way, a one-and-one, and a converted free throw. However, this quarter was all Raneem Elgedawy, who was tenacious off the glass and scored 11 points in this quarter. FBA was short, unable to cut the deficit, and trailed by 22 points at the end of the quarter. Al Ahly was up 71-49 heading into the fourth quarter.
Zykera Rice opened the fourth quarter with a perfect trip to the free-throw line before splitting the pair on the line again. FBA upped the ante defensively but could not capitalise offensively. They kept Al Ahly scoreless for the first four minutes of the quarter. However, the Egyptian powerhouse could not be denied when Rose Macuei scored a three-pointer to erase Djeneba Sangare's one. Rose Macuei then scored another three-pointer to maintain her team's lead.
Al Ahly put on a defensive clinic, holding FBA to just three points in the final five minutes to extend their lead and claim a 91-62 victory. The Egyptians proved too strong for the Ivorians, despite Djeneba Sangare's 24-point performance that led all scorers.
Raneem Elgadawy remained humble despite their comfortable lead and said the following:
It was our first game and of course we made a lot of mistakes but we are going to watch film and get better and God-willing win the tournament.
Coach always tells us that defense is the key... We didn't look at the score, we just kept our heads down and played defense and that won us the game.
Meanwhile Rokia Doumbia was still positive despite her team's loss saying:
I think it was a good game but the score won't show that because we lost by a lot. We also have a lot of young guys, we gave it everything we got but today we came short.
Raneem Elgedawy's humble approach shows how focused the Egyptian side is, avoiding pomposity after a dominant performance. On the other hand, Rokia Doumbia's words show that the team is not broken despite this result, as they remain optimistic about the coming games.
[Photography Courtesy of FIBA]
