CAIRO (Egypt) - Al Ahly Sporting Club are the 2025 Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) champions, having beaten three-time African champions Ferroviario de Maputo 77–51 in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday.
After what happened last year, playing Ferroviario de Maputo was special - Raneem Elgedawy
The Egyptian team came close to winning their first African title twice, in 2019 and 2024. However, they were defeated by the same opponent they defeated on Sunday at the 3,000-seat Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports Hall, their home court, which was filled to capacity.
The Tarek Abouzied-led side did not just deliver a maiden title, they put their tactician on a pedestal; making him the first coach to win both the top-tier men’s and women’s club competitions in Africa, following his success nine years ago with the men's team at the same venue.
Al Ahly Sporting Club were never really challenged, their dominant start for a 29-17 first quarter setting the tone early, leading by as many as 27, (19 at halftime). Despite the Nasir Sale-led side fighting to cut their deficit to 10 (57-47) off a dominant third quarter, a spectacular performance in the final stanza (20-4) shut down any comeback hopes.
Raneem Elgedawy, who has had a stunning show throughout the championship, led Al Ahly Sporting to victory, combining with Nadine Mohamed for 47 points, more than half of the final tally.
Elgedawy shot 11-for-18, including two from deep for 29 points, completing one of only two double-doubles in the final with 18 rebounds. She added 3 steals and 2 assists for 39 in efficiency rating.
Meanwhile, Mohamed delivered the other double-double on 18 points, shooting 4-for-16 from the floor while remaining very efficient on the charity stripe for 8 from 9 attempts, adding 10 rebounds, 2 assists and as many steals for 19 in efficiency rating.
Eventual 2025 WBLA MVP Raneem Elgedawy credited the team for her spectacular show, saying: "This championship and the awards that came with it means everything to me. We all worked for this moment and I wouldn't have achieved this without the entire team. I am beyond happy and proud of everyone."
She continued: "After what happened last year, playing Ferroviario de Maputo was special. We came prepared, ready to fight as we wanted to win."
FIBA