Al Ahly Tripoli (LIBYA)

Al-Ahly of Libya Shines on the Path to BAL, Eyeing an Unprecedented Historic Achievement in the Fifth Season

Al-Ahly Basketball: A Rich History of Titles and a Loyal Fanbase Aspiring for the African Championship

Generations of Al-Ahly have established its legacy, and the current squad continues the journey with valuable and prestigious titles.

Libya’s representative, Al-Ahly, captivated attention in its debut in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) during its fifth season. The team achieved a perfect record, earning full marks in the "Road to BAL" qualifiers and claiming the title of West Africa's division champion. Remarkably, Al-Ahly became the first team in West African qualification history to secure the title undefeated (7-0).

The Journey Begins in Tripoli

Al-Ahly began its campaign in the capital, Tripoli, buoyed by the support of its passionate fanbase. The team topped its group in the preliminary stage with victories over Stade Malien and Cape Verde's Kriol Stars.

Stellar Performance in Elite Qualifiers

In Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, under the guidance of Lebanese coach Fouad Abou Chakra, the team dazzled. They topped their group with three consecutive wins over Kadji Academy (Cameroon), Mighty Barrolle (Liberia), and Spintex Knights (Ghana). In a thrilling semifinal, they overcame host team ABC Fighters of Côte d'Ivoire and triumphed in the final against Stade Malien, earning their spot in the BAL season five conference stage in 2025.

A Veteran Coach and Key Players

The team is led by the experienced Lebanese coach Fouad Abou Chakra and Libyan assistant coach Abdalla Shalabi, who has overseen a golden era for the club. With two of Libya’s top players, Mohamed Al-Saadi and Nassim Bedrush, and unwavering support from the club’s administration led by Haitham Ashour and former player Othman Al-Siddiq, Al-Ahly is poised to make a deep run in Africa.

A Legacy of Titles and Achievements

Al-Ahly fans take pride in basketball being a core part of the club since its founding in 1950 in Tripoli. Over decades, successive administrations invested in youth development and recruited top-tier professionals, making Al-Ahly a pillar of Libyan basketball. The club boasts eight Libyan League titles, four Libyan Cup titles, three Libyan Super Cups, and one Champions Cup title (1988).

An Era of Success and Glory

After winning their first three league titles in the 1960s, the Libyan Cup in 1975-76, and the Champions Cup in 1988, Al-Ahly experienced a resurgence in the 2000s. They won their fourth league title in 2001, their second Cup in 2002, and later dominated with four league titles, two Cups, and three Super Cups under the leadership of stars like Al-Saadi and Bedrush. Now, they aspire to crown their journey with a continental title in the fifth BAL season.

Outstanding African Records

Al-Ahly contributes significantly to the Libyan national team, providing four key players. Coach Abou Chakra and assistant Nabil Kabalan also head the national team’s technical staff. During AfroBasket qualifiers, Al-Ahly’s players excelled: Mohamed Al-Saadi achieved a historic triple-double against Nigeria, the first ever in qualification history, while Nassim Bedrush set a record with 14 assists in a game against Uganda.

International Participation

Al-Ahly has twice competed in the Arab Club Basketball Championship (2015, 2019), reaching the quarterfinals both times. In 2024, they secured a bronze medal in the Dubai International Championship, finishing behind Lebanese champions Al-Riyadi and the NBA-laden Strong Group from the Philippines.

An Undefeated Streak

This season, as the undefeated West African champions in the "Road to BAL" qualifiers, Al-Ahly continues its impressive run in the Libyan League. They lead their group in the preliminary stage without a loss and are strong contenders for the Libyan League title.