The Al-Ahly Benghazi basketball team has departed Cairo for Bamako, the capital of Mali, to participate in the first phase of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers, which commence on Friday.
Representing Libya in the tournament, Al-Ahly Benghazi will compete in a group that includes CRB from Mali, Customs from Burkina Faso, and Federal Center from Guinea. Only two out of the four teams will advance to the next stage — the Elite 16, scheduled to take place in November in Côte d’Ivoire.
The team recently completed a 10-day training camp in Egypt as part of its preparation for the continental competition. The Libyan club aims to secure qualification for the next round and continue its strong performance on the African stage.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has been split between rival administrations for years.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
