AL ITTIHAD Alexandria, one of Egypt’s most prestigious basketball clubs, is set to make its long-awaited debut in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) this season. As a powerhouse in Egyptian basketball, the 16-time Egyptian Super League Champions has long aspired to compete on the continental stage, but the path to this moment has been filled with challenges. Years of close calls, setbacks, and unwavering determination have defined their journey, making this qualification all the more significant.
Ittihad player Youssef Shousha knows this journey all too well, as he, his teammates and the club’s fans had to for four years watch rivals and fellow giants Zamalek and Al Ahly dominate the domestic scene and then become BAL champions. That is until last year when the Super League championship script finally flipped in Al Ittihad’s favour, for Shousha the labour of eventually getting to the BAL was momentous, but it also took a significant physical toll.
A Journey Years in the Making
“During the 2019-2020 season, we won the title and were excited to play in the BAL. Due to various reasons, including COVID-19, the winner of the 2020-2021 season Zamalek went instead,” said Shousha, reflecting on how COVID-19 derailed their progress and halted the BAL’s inaugural season in 2020.
The ensuing years saw Al Ittihad endure a miserable run of second-place finishes in three Super League finals. Thirty-one-year-old Shousha lamented the years of Al Ittihad coming close but yet being so far.
“Being so close to the dream of playing BAL and then losing three years in a row in the finals was a nightmare for us. We thought we’d never get there,” said Shousha. “We were winning other trophies like the Cup and Super Cup, but trying to win the league… It was a struggle.
“Also, going through that loop of changing coaches all those years wasn’t good for any team.”
Last season, Al Ittihad broke free from its cycle of disappointment. Not only did they reclaim the Egyptian Super League title, they secured the cup and the Super Cup, completing a dominant domestic treble. More importantly, the Super League triumph earned them direct qualification to the BAL.
For Shousha and the team, winning the league championship fulfilled a dream that once seemed out of reach. “Finally, last year, we were able to win the Cup, the League, and the Super Cup. We qualified for the BAL and if we win it we make it to the Intercontinental Cup. It’s a dream for us. That’s how hungry and excited we are for it,” said Shousha.
Clinching the BAL Spot: A Story of Grit
Shousha had to put his body on the line to help Al Ittihad secure its BAL ticket. The hard-fought four-game (3-1) series victory over Al Ahly saw Shousha fracture his nose in Game 2 and suffer a broken toe in Game 3, leading him to sit out the next game. His teammates rallied around him, promising to secure the championship and avoid a Game 5.
“It was a huge boost for the team as a whole. They told me they were going to bring home the championship. It was a fantastic moment to see the team playing for me in Game 4. They did not want the series to go to Game 5. We got the job done… They kept their word,” said Shousha
Al Ittihad’s BAL Debut: Anticipation and Preparation
Al Ittihad will compete in the BAL’s Kalahari Conference in Morocco (5-13 April). However, the club is not merely satisfied with participating; they are determined to win and advance to the Intercontinental Cup. This ambition drives every aspect of their preparation.
“We’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time. We’ve been watching the BAL, and we’ve wanted to be part of this for years,” Shousha expressed, highlighting the club’s strong desire to compete at the highest level. He elaborated on the team’s vision. “We want to experience the full spectrum of the BAL and the Intercontinental Cup. We want it all,” said Shousha. “We’re energised and ready for this. We’ve been hungry for this for two or three years. Our players and the entire organisation are prepared.”
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A robust defensive strategy is central to their game plan. It’s a strategy that led to the domestic league title last year. This focus, championed by Coach Ahmed Omar, remains fundamental to the team’s identity.
“What is really unique about us is that we have a very good defensive team. That’s what helped us win the league in Egypt last year, as we were able to hold all our opponents to an average of 65-70 points per game, which is a commendable average. Defense is our focus,” said Shousha. “We have the same coach, who will ensure that we are solid defensively, providing the foundational aspects of our game. That’s our strength.”
The BAL season is fast approaching, and Al Ittihad has begun integrating new signings into the squad. Team cohesion is key despite a limited pre-season period.
“It’s a very short time before the season. We are preparing and accommodating our new players to ensure we become a strong team,” Shousha noted.
South Sudanese acquisitions and stars Majok Deng and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. bring valuable BAL experience from their time with last season’s surprise finalists, Libya’s Al Ahly Benghazi. Lual-Acuil averaged 21.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks in his BAL debut season – he would cap it off by winning the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards. If Lual-Acuil can match or exceed his past performances then Ittihad will be poised for a maiden continental trophy.
Deng averaged 15 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in the BAL and represented South Sudan at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The forward comes championship credentials to Al Ittihad – winning the 2024 NBL title with Australia’s Tasmania JackJumpers.
An enthusiastic Shousha praised the signing of Deng and Majok. “We are very excited! We’ve been following them since the last BAL season… I think they are exceptional players who will significantly enhance our team… They share our mentality and are solid defensively, which will allow them to fit into the team rapidly,” said Shousha.
Looking Ahead: Goals and Expectations
As the countdown to the BAL continues, excitement will build among Al Ittihad’s fans and players. Like their rivals, they will cherish the experience of being there. As an ambitious team, they also aspire to taste the same glory that Zamalek and Al Ahly have enjoyed. For Shousha, he’ll remember the punishment his body took and the promise made and kept by his teammates last season, how it led to a once-distant prize, and how it now fuels the Masters of the City’s renewed ambition.
