AL Ahly Sporting Club of Egypt has been crowned the champion of the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) after defeating AS Douanes of Senegal 80-65 in the playoffs.

With the win, Al Ahly earned the right to represent Africa in the next edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.

The playoffs which were hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, was contested by eight teams that qualified from the preliminary stages of both the Sahara and Nile conferences.

The Egyptian club finished on the top of the log with three wins, followed by Association Sportive des Douanes who came second with two wins.

Stade Malien, Clube Atletico Petroloes de Lauanda, Rwanda Energy Group, Abidjan Basket Club, Cape Town Tigers and Clube Ferroviario finished 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th on the log, respectively.

Road to the Playoffs

The journey to the playoffs where Al Ahly were crowned champions began with the preliminary stage, which had teams grouped in the Sahara and Nile conferences.

In the Sahara Conference, Stade Malien, Association Sportive des Douanes, Rwanda Energy Group and Abidjan Basket Club progressed to the playoffs.

Union Sportive Monastirienne and Nigeria’s representative Kwara Falcons Basketball Club failed to qualify for the playoffs.

In the Nile Conference, Clube Ferroviario da Beira, Clube Atletico Petroloes de Luanda, Cape Town Tigers and Al Ahly Sporting Club made it to the playoffs.

The two clubs that were unable to qualify for the playoffs are Seydou Legacy Athletique Club and City Oilers.

Al Ahly became the second Egyptian side to win the tournament since Zamalek won the inaugural BAL season.

Al Ahly concluded their 2023 BAL campaign with an overall record of seven wins and just one loss (7-1).