CAIRO (Egypt) - The wait is over, the newly-launched FIBA Africa Basketball League (FIBA ABL) starts on Friday, in Cairo.

And FIBA.basketball brings you everything you need to know about Group C's action.

From February 8-10, at Prince Abdallah Al Faisal Sports Hall in Cairo, hosts Al Ahly, Angolan side of Primeiro D'Agosto, Rwanda's REG, and Ferroviario da Beira from Mozambique will do battle in an attempt to secure the top two places of the group, which ensures a place in the FIBA ABL's Elite 8 knock out stage.

How to watch the games

Click here for all FIBA ABL Group C games, which will be livestreamed on FIBA Youtube channel.

 Media Accreditation

Al Ahly press office team will be responsible for issuing media accreditations. 

REG v Ferroviario da Beira

It's the first time these two teams face off at an official competition.

And, as the first Rwandan side to appear at a major continental competition since 2006, REG look ambitious.

"Our target is to win the first game and then build on that momentum for the next games," REG head coach Patrick Ngwijuruvugo said. 

With a group that includes Rwanda international Kenneth Gasana, Olivier Shyaka and Kami Kabange, the play-caller noted: "We need to be at our best in the first game which will give us an advantage in the next two games.”

Meanwhile, Ferroviario da Beira head coach Nasir Sale lamented his team's lack of preparation games ahead of Friday's game against REG, but he remained upbeat: "We look forward to competing against these three teams, and we'll be thinking positively. We'll give our all and try to dignify our club and our country as a whole."

Al Alhy v Primeiro D'Agosto

The last time these two teams faced off in December 2016, hosts Al Ahly prevailed 68-64 in the Group Phase of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup (ACC), which eventually became the FIBA ABL. 

That win against a club that had won eight ACC titles inspired Al Ahly to their first-ever African title.

Most of players from Al Ahly and D'Agosto who took part in the 2016 clash remain important and influential members of their teams.

While the Egyptians chase their second straight African title - after taking an ACC sabbatical year in 2017 - D'Agosto also return to FIBA Africa's flagship clubs competition for the first time since 2016.

Players to watch

Kenneth Gasana (REG) - The Rwandan international has become known as a prolific scorer over the past few years.

After spending the past few years in the Moroccan League, the 34-year-old shooting guard has a chance of leading a Rwandan club at international level. 

Kenneth Gasana (Rwanda)

Gasana will be joined by his national teammate Kami Kabange, who has equally been a force to be recognised with across Africa.  

Robinson Opong (Ferroviario da Beira) - Ever since Opong made his international debut for Uganda at FIBA AfroBasket 2017, he became known as of the finest three-point shooters on the continent. 

Along Opong, Ferroviario counts with the services of rising star Helton Ubisse - a 24-year-old power forward known for his fearless spirit and rebounding ability.

Emmanuel Quezada (Primeiro D'Agosto) - A Dominican international who has spent the last four years of his career in the Angolan Unitel League, the talented guard rose to the occasion in 2015 by inspiring Angolan side Petro de Luanda to the ACC title. In the process, the 33-year-old scooped the MVP award.

Al Ahly will be playing without three-pointer specialist Ibrahim El Gammal - who suffered an hamstring injury - the Egyptian champions made sure to build a competitive team by signing three quality import players, namely Quddus Bello, Todd O'Brien and Reggie Holmes.

Tarek El Ghannam (Egypt)

The American trio will be joined by 40-year-old Tarek El Ghannam - a 2.10m (6ft10) center who serves as the team's inspirational leader.

FIBA