BENGHAZI (Libya) - Al Ahly Sporting Club from Egypt came saw and conquered the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in their first appearance, but there is another namesake club aiming to make some noise in African basketball too.

The inevitable question is "Can Al Ahly Benghazi pass Group A's test from October 13-15?"

Libya champions Al Ahly Benghazi are set to host Road to BAL's Group A slated for October in the port city of Benghazi, where they will go up against tough opposition.

The winner of the Benghazi showpiece qualifies automatically to the West Division Elite 16 Round, scheduled for next month in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

Here's a look at Group A's teams. 

Fath Union Sport (FUS Rabat)

Winners of the last edition of the Morocco Championship, FUS are poised to be Al Ahly's toughest test in Group A.

With a roster that comprises of a number of Morocco international players, FUS are making their first appearance in the Road to BAL.

The Rabat-based club are the second Moroccan club - after AS Sale - to participate in the qualifiers for the BAL. 

Dumas Stephan, who at some point in his career coached Senegal men's national team, is the man at the helm of a team trying to secure one of the six spots still available for the BAL Season 4.

Besides Abdelhakim Zouita, who inspired AS Sale to the 2017 FIBA Africa Champions Cup and won the MVP award, FUS signed Malian Aliou Diarra, a 2,06m center, who won the 2023 BAL Defensive Player of the Year award while leading Stade Malien to a third place finish.

AS Nigelec

The Niamey-based club aren't really new to the competition as they have not missed a single Road to BAL since 2019.

But despite AS Nigelec's familiarity with the tournament the Nigerien champions are yet to move beyond the first round. In three straight appearances in the Road to BAL, Nigelec hold a 5-9 win-loss dating back to 2019. 

Playing hosts of Group A last year, Nigelec missed out a huge opportunity of capitalising from their home-court advantage as they finished 0-3 after losses to Elan Coton, ABC Fighters and Stade Malien.

Elan Coton 

The Benin champions are returning to the Road to BAL for the second straight season.

The Cotonou-based outfit, founded in 2021, caused one of the biggest upsets in the 2022 West Division Elite 16 by beating former Moroccan champions AS Sale in Abidjan.

Elan Coton are headed to Benghazi with an overall 2-4 record in the Road to BAL.

Al Ahly Benghazi 

The signings of BAL champions Souleyman Diabate and Ater Majok speaks volumes about Al Alhy Benghazi's ambitions in the Road to BAL this year.

Diabate remains as one of Africa's prime point guards, who can score and create shooting opportunities for others. He is a two-time BAL champion with Zamalek and US Monastir.

Majok, on the other hand, easily makes his presence felt in the defensive with unique ability to protect the rim. He helped US Monastir to the 2022 BAL title. Majok won the 2022 BAL Defensive Player of the Year.

Al Ahly Benghazi emerge as the second Libyan club - since Al Naser in 2019 - to appear in the qualification round for the BAL. 

Both Benghazi and Gaborone are the latest African cities to join the Road to BAL caravan that has delighted fans across the continent.

FIBA