ALEXANDRIA (Egypt) - After 16 games played over the course of four days, there is a clear picture of how the inaugural Africa Women's Basketball League (AWBL) might unfold on Tuesday, December 19th in the Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria.

There has been a bit of everything in the AWBL so far. From blowout wins, highly evenly-matched encounters to edge-of-the-seat match-ups, this 10-team competition remains promising until a new winner is revealed.

As we write there are 17 more games fans can follow live at Alexandria Sporting Club (ASC)'s gymnasium or watch all action live on FIBA's livestream platforms.

And, if what we have watched so far is anything to go by, then the Elimination Round, which tips off Sunday, after a rest day on Saturday, looks promising.

So far most teams have ensured their places in the Last Eight, while ASPAC of Benin - even if they shock Inter Clube on Friday - are eliminated and will fight for the Ninth-Place in the Classification Round against the team that finishes fifth in Group A.

Who is running the ABWL show in Alexandria? 

RWANDA ENERGY GROUP ARE DOING WONDERS

Unknown to many outside of Rwanda, this newly-founded team, whose men counterpart have made tremendous noise in the last two editions of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), have taken Alexandria by a storm.

Having played four back-to-back games, the Esperance Mukaneza-coached team did wonders as they advanced to the Quarter-Finals with a flawless 4-0 mark. Only one of the two teams, between ASC and Kenya Ports Authority, can equal their perfect record in the Group Phase.

What's more is the fact that REG sent a statement out on Gameday 2 by outclassing Angolan champions Inter Clube 96-89 in a highly-contested encounter in Group B, a result that leaves the Kigali-based side in a comfortable position before resuming their AWBL campaign on Sunday against the team that finishes fourth in Group A.

ALEXANDRIA SPORTING CLUB ARE ON A MISSION

There's never been a question as to what ASC's aim would be in the AWBL, and the results are there for everyone to see.

Winners of the last edition of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women, which preceded the AWBL, ASC hit the free-agency market, signing a number of household names on the continent of the Africa and things seem to be working to perfection for Mohamed Abdelrahman's team.

The Egyptian champions headed to last Group Phase day's action with a respectable 3-0 mark before taking on a high-flying Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

Obviously, ASC haven't been fully tested in the AWBL yet as they have obliterated their first three opponents - CNSS, Nigeria Customs and Universite Douala - by an average of 54 points per game, but the team's cohesion is commendable.

KPA READY TO PROVE THEY BELONG AMONG ELITE TEAMS

For a team that won only three of their seven games in the 2022 Africa Champions Cup for Women in Maputo to be 3-0 ahead of the clash against hosts ASC, KPA are out in Alexandria proving that they belong among Africa's elite, and more importantly, that they can go places at this AWBL edition.

And, if they beat ASC on Friday - a result that would see them win Group A - a Semi-Finals slot will be the least that can be expected from the Kenyan and Zone 5 reigning champions.

And, a thorough look into KPA's history and roster suggests that the dockers have some unfinished business in Alexandria. 

INTER CLUBE CHASING FIRST TITLE SINCE 2016

The most successful team in the history of Africa women's club basketball (with five African titles) continue to be challenged, but they have displayed some resolve even after going down 96-89 against REG.

The Angola National Police-funded team haven't won a continental title since 2016, and without their fiercest contender Ferroviario de Maputo in Alexandria, Elisa Pires' team are wondering if an African title has become a mirage. Time will tell.

If stats, talent, team cohesion and competitiveness is anything to go by, one of the four teams highlighted in this article might lift the 2023 AWBL trophy. 

FIBA