CAIRO (Egypt) - The Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Championship Final in 2025 will be a repeat of last year's, with hosts Al Ahly Sporting Club aiming to win their first African title against the current champions, Ferroviario de Maputo.
There are records to break and legacies to chase as the 2019 bronze medallists look to revenge their 2024 loss, at home, a feat that would not only deliver the title but make history for coach Tarek Abouzied; making him the first tactician to win both the top-tier men’s and women’s competitions in Africa, following his success nine years ago with the men's team at the same venue.
We are here to show Mozambique basketball - Ingvild Mucauro
While history backs the Mozambique champions, who have denied the hosts twice, on 2019 with an 81-72 show and last year's 84-73, this year's statistics point at an Al Ahly Sporting dominance.
Al Ahly Sporting Club will also have the support of the 3000-seater Prince Abdallah Al Faisal Sports Hall, in Cairo.
Both sides are unbeaten so far, but Al Ahly Sporting boast superior numbers on average, with their 53.7% shooting from inside against the defending champions' 40.9% a likely decider.
Abouzied's charges have also averaged 89.6 points to the opponent's 75.
Ferroviario de Maputo struggled to beat ASC Ville de Dakar in the semis, taking the win in overtime, while the hosts cruised past Rwandese side APR, only coming under pressure in the final two minutes when the latter fought from a 22-point deficit for 80-74.
Nasir Sale's side is, however, not to be underestimated. Albeit with a slightly different squad from this year's, the three-time champions came from a 24-point deficit last year to beat APR 86-72 in the semis, and advance.
Al Ahly Sporting Club's charge is expected to be led by 2022 Most Valuable Player Hagar Amer who has so far averaged 20.4 points, and 29 in efficiency, bagging four double-doubles in five games. In the semis, she showed off for 25 points and 24 rebounds for the highest recorded efficiency rating (44) this year.
Coach Abouzied has structured his team to feed the posts, Amer and Raneem Elgedawy, more while coach Sale has relied on an efficient squad rotation combining speed (for fast break points) and perimeter shooting to stay ahead.
South Sudanese forward, Nyamer Diew, preached caution ahead of the final, saying: "We played well in the first 25 minutes of the semis but lost a bit of focus, with some careless plays, allowing them back. We have to clean up some of these things in the final as this is not a game we can win in 25 minutes. We have to be locked in for 40 minutes.
She continued, "We have to put faith in our coaches and in what the scouting report says. I believe my team will play well and our shots are going to fall but it comes down to who wants it more and the club is excited to get this remat;ch."
Meanwhile, Mozambique's Ingvild Mucauro promises the same fighting spirit they have brought in every game so far, saying: "Ferroviario [de Maputo] are a hustling team and we never give up. Making the final back-to-back is no mean feat and we are excited to play Al Ahly Sporting again. We put in effort and worked hard to be here despite going through some things back home, and this means we are valuing our efforts as basketball is our life. We are here to show Mozambique basketball."
FIBA