The Marius Ndiaye Arena in Dakar, Senegal erupted with cheers as the home team, ASC Ville de Dakar, took the court for their opening match of the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) 2024 against cameroon’s FAP. Fueled by the passionate support of their fans, ASC Ville de Dakar staged a remarkable comeback to secure a thrilling 57-54 victory.
The match unfolded in two distinct halves. FAP dominated the first, but Moustapha Gaye’s ASC Ville de Dakar squad rallied in the second, capitalizing on crucial turnovers by their opponents.
Elisabeth Dabou led the charge for ASC Ville de Dakar, racking up 13 points and coming within a single rebound of a double-double. Foune Sissoko also played a pivotal role, contributing 13 points to the winning effort.
A Turning point
The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter. With the roar of the crowd behind them, Gaye’s players clawed their way back to within a single point (37-36) with just 40 seconds remaining. A crucial basket from Elisabeth Dabou then propelled ASC Ville de dakar into the lead for the first time as the opening quarter (38-37).
An unsportsmanlike foul by ASC Ville de Dakar sent FAP to the free throw line, but they missed one shot, tying the game at 38 heading into the final quarter.
FAP surged ahead 51-41,but ASC Ville de Dakar mounted a furious comeback,outscoring their opponents 16-3 in the final five minutes. This surge culminated in their largest lead of the game at 54-51. sissoko’s basket proved decisive, putting the future winners back in control.
Heroic Performances
Malians Dabou and Sissoko displayed exceptional determination throughout the game, especially in the second and third quarters. They kept ASC Ville de Dakar within striking distance, setting the stage for their dramatic comeback.
Key Statistics
ASC Ville de dakar capitalized on FAP’s 17 first-half turnovers, scoring 10 points directly from those mistakes. The home team took better care of the ball in the second half, forcing FAP into 21 turnovers. ASC ville de dakar dominated the paint, outscoring FAP 36-22 and winning the rebound battle 18-3.
Looking Ahead
Despite only leading for a mere 4:19 minutes, ASC Ville de Dakar’s victory marked a strong start to their WBLA campaign. With local teams having won the competition all four times Dakar has hosted it, the pressure is on ASC Ville de Dakar to continue their winning ways. They will face Mountain of Fire Miracles in their next match.
FAP, meanwhile, must regroup for their second group stage match against Al Ahly, the Zone 5 champions, on Sunday, December 8th.
Post-Game Reactions
“Losing the ball 32 times at this level is perilous, and they took advantage of the opportunity to punish us. When they got closer,my players panicked and failed to play their game.” – Angel Majolie Lonteu, FAP Coach
“I expected this kind of competition. It’s an African event wich is never easy. We tried to play fast in the first quarter, but we adapted to our strengths in the second half, which worked. We played their game, so the close match, but we will adapt in the future. We prepared well, we played amiable matches against strong teams, including men’s teams, but it is indeed a different level of competition, and the first match allowed us to see the points to improve before the next meeting.” – Moustapha Gaye, ASC Ville de Dakar Head Coach
FIBA
## A Rising Force: ASC Ville de Dakar Makes Winning entrance in WBLA 2024
**World Today News:** [Interviewer Name], Senior Sports Editor at World Today News
We’re joined today by Moustapha Gaye, head coach of ASC Ville de Dakar, following their thrilling 57-54 victory over FAP in the opening match of the Women’s Basketball league africa (WBLA) 2024. Coach, congratulations on a fantastic start to the season!
**Moustapha Gaye:** Thank you. It was a hard-fought victory, and we are incredibly proud of the girls’ effort tonight.
**World Today News:** The match was quite a roller coaster. FAP seemed to have control in the first half. What adjustments did you make at halftime that sparked the turnaround in the third quarter?
**Moustapha Gaye:** We knew FAP was a strong opponent,and they came out playing very well. At halftime, we focused on improving our defensive intensity and minimizing turnovers. We also emphasized the importance of moving the ball and finding the open player. The girls executed the game plan perfectly in the second half.
**World today News:** Elisabeth Dabou was extraordinary, almost posting a double-double with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
**Moustapha gaye:** Elisabeth is a true leader on the court. Her energy and determination are infectious. Similarly, Foune Sissoko’s 13 points were crucial in the comeback victory. I’m fortunate to have such talented and dedicated players on this team.
**World Today News:** The Senegal crowd was incredible, providing a powerful home-court advantage. How significant was their support in pushing the team forward?
**Moustapha Gaye:** The energy from the crowd was unbelievable! Their support was a driving force for us throughout the game.
Knowing we had the entire arena behind us really lifted our spirits and gave us that extra push we needed to secure the win.
**World Today News:** Looking ahead, what are your expectations for ASC Ville de Dakar in this year’s WBLA?
**Moustapha Gaye:** Our goal is to build on this momentum and compete at the highest level. We have a talented and motivated team, and we believe we can achieve something special this season.
**World Today News:** This win sends a strong message to the other teams in the league.
**Moustapha Gaye:** Absolutely. We are determined to make our mark in the WBLA and showcase the talent and passion that exists in Senegalese women’s basketball.
