Meet the Libyan club Al Ahly Benghazi, whose sights are set on the BAL Trophy...
Last Updated on
April 5, 2024
Ahmed El-Mansour
Staff Writer
In the vibrant landscape of African basketball, few stories resonate as profoundly as that of Al Ahly Benghazi. Established in 1950, this Libyan powerhouse has not only dominated its domestic league, securing the Libyan championship on three occasions – in 2010, 2011, and most recently in 2023 – but has also left an indelible mark on the international arena.
Their journey to prominence reached a pivotal juncture during the Road to BAL tournament in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where their spirited performance earned them a coveted spot in the prestigious Basketball Africa League (BAL) Season 4, despite finishing second to FUS Rabat.
Indeed, the Libyan club boasted some truly extraordinary players. South Sudanese Ater Majok, former BAL Defender of the Year 2022, Ivorian Solo Diabaté, two-time BAL winner with Zamalek and Monastir, and Chris Crawford, a tremendous shooter. Ahly have parted company with two major players, Ater Majok and Chris Crawford, who have moved to Monastir.
As for local players, the club is counting heavily on defender Mahmoud Behadji and centre Sofian Hamad. This entire armada enabled Al Ahly Benghazi to qualify for BAL Season 4 for the first time in its history.
Reflecting on the upcoming challenge, Solo Diabaté shares,
It's true that it's a big loss for us because these two players were very good players who had experience of the BAL. But the club has made a big push in recruiting by signing a new coach, Serbian Ivan Jeremic, point guard Pierre Jackson, an American who has played in the Euroleague and China, Kevin Murphy who plays 2 and two South Sudanese who play 4 and 5.
As the countdown to BAL Season 4 commences, Al Ahly Benghazi finds itself on the brink of a new chapter in its storied legacy. Set to compete in the NILE Conference in Cairo, Egypt, against formidable adversaries, the team faces a daunting yet exhilarating challenge.
It's a new team that's going to meet Bangui. The players who have joined us have never played against Bangui, except for me, and I'll be taking advantage of the opportunity to discuss tactical choices with the coach.
Al Ahly Benghazi Roster: Abdulrahman Omar ALDIRFILI, Aboubakr Asmaeil ALJAHMI, Ghayth Alrahman ALMAGHRIBI, Anis ALMANSOURI, Ahmed Mohammed ALRASHIDI, Mahmoud BENALHAJ, Souleyman DIABATE, Sofian HAMAD, Pierre De Shawn JACKSON, Assane MANDIAN, Kevin Marquis MURPHY and Mansour Mohamm ZEEW
Their inaugural match against Bangui Sporting Club promises to be a test of character and resilience, as Al Ahly Benghazi endeavours to assert its presence and stake its claim among the continent's elite basketball franchises.
As Al Ahly Benghazi prepares to embark on its BAL Season 4 adventure, the echoes of anticipation reverberate across the basketball community.
I can assure you that Al Ahly Benghazi's objective is to win the BAL,
Diabaté says with a smile.
And, on a personal note, I'm out to add a third BAL title.
If you're in Cairo, dive into the excitement of the games at the Dr Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall. But if you're unable to attend in person, catch all the action live on thebal.com.
Here's the schedule for the upcoming games:
