Champions of the Alexandria Sporting Club were crowned as the first Egyptian team to win the title of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup Women on Saturday at the “Pavilhao de Universidade Eduardo Mondlane” in Maputo, Mozambique.
The announcement came following their win against Costa do Sol 65-58 in the final. Hagar Amer Sporting’s champion has managed to score 18 points, in addition to Cierra Dillard’s game-high 21 points securing their win at the final match.
Tournament MVP and Sporting captain Hagar Amer expressed her pride after winning the game “I am overwhelmed. It’s a dream come true for myself and the team. We have worked hard to get here. We have reached our goal. I am truly thankful.”
Followed by a comment from Cierra Dillard Sporting Alexandria’s guard, who was once again the hero for the Egyptians, “I am feeling great. I am grateful to be on this team. I am thankful for representing Egypt in this beautiful country.”
While Sporting Alexandria head coach Mohamed Abdelrahman excitedly shared “I am the happiest man in the world. It is the first time an Egyptian team has won this title. I think the best we have done is a bronze medal at this level. I don’t know what else to say, and I don’t know what is going through the minds of girls right now.”
On the other hand, Ingvild Mucauro, a player from the opposing team who lost the match commented, “Things did not go our way. We were not calm in certain situations and did not have a sense of urgency in critical parts of the game. Congratulations to sporting. I am also proud of my team.”
The turning point was when the Egyptians tied the game 43-43; since then, the Sporting champions’ performance only got better. They scored 23 points while forcing Costa do Sol to turn the ball more than 21 times.
The game was very intense, but the Egyptian team took charge from the first moment as they chased the game for most of the first and second quarters and a little into the third too. The team successfully proved their ability to create scoring opportunities and push Costa do Sol to make errors that cost them the match.
FINA STANDINGS OF THE 2022 FIBA AFRICA CHAMPIONS CUP WOMEN
- Sporting Alexandria (Egypt) 5-1
2. Costa do Sol (Mozambique) 5-2
3. Ferroviario de Maputo (Mozambique) 5-1
4. Interclube (Angola) 5-2
5. ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal) 3-3
6. Kenya Ports Authority (Kenya) 2-5
7. C.N.S.S (DR Congo) 2-5
8. APR (Rwanda) 0-6
9. Energie BBC (Benin) 0-4
10. Overdose Up Station * (pulled out)
