Al Ahli's Ndoye Elhadj Seydou (left) and Al Sadd's Faisal Nabil Abuissa pose with the Amir Cup trophy.
Doha, Qatar: Defending champions Al Sadd and Al Ahli will lock horns in the Amir Cup basketball tournament final, eyeing to lift the coveted trophy at the Al Gharafa Sports Club today.
Both the teams, who advanced to the title clash from Group 1, are set for a thrilling contest after battling through the semis following tough clashes.
Seeking their fourth Amir Cup crown, Al Sadd knocked out Qatar Basketball League champions and pre-event favourites Al Rayyan 81-78 while Al Ahli brought an end to Al Wakrah’s impressive campaign in the tournament with an 82-70 win in the semis. Al Sadd, who topped their group, will go into the final as favourites having defeated Al Ahli 79-62 earlier in the tournament.
The Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) has made special arrangements for the final, which will kick off at 7pm. Fans will be allowed to enter the venue for free with various prizes up for grabs including a car and tickets to attend the 2023 FIBA World Cup to be held in Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia in August and September.
Qatar Basketball Federation's Secretary General Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari poses for a photograph with the captains, coaches and officials of Al Sadd and Al Ahli clubs, following a press conference on the eve of the Amir Cup final.
QBF Secretary General Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari said preparation has been finalised to stage the final in a befitting manner.
“It has been a great Amir Cup edition and we are looking to culminate the tournament in the best way,” Al Kuwari said at a press conference yesterday.
“I want to congratulate Al Sadd and Al Ahli for reaching the final of this prestigious tournament. It is the title every club in Qatar wants to win and we witnessed thrilling matches throughout the tournament. We are now looking forward to an exciting final,” he added.
Meanwhile, Al Sadd coach Stavros Mikonatis was expecting a tough challenge from Al Ahli, saying his team will have to work hard to pull off a victory.
“Al Ahli are the deserving finalists as they have progressed after playing some tough matches, and we are aware of their strength,” said the coach.
“We can compensate for our failure to win the League title by lifting the Amir Cup and we will put in our best effort to clinch this prestigious trophy,” he added.
Echoing the coach’s views, Al Sadd player Faisal Nabil Abuissa said a title win today will only satisfy his side.
“Al Ahli are strong but we will go all the way to win the title. This is our only aim,” he said.
Meanwhile, Al Ahli coach Manos Manouselis praised his team for reaching the final, hoping his players to maintain their form in the final.
“My team is just a win away from winning the title after giving an impressive performance throughout the tournament. Al Sadd are a good team but we are ready to challenge them,” he said.
Al Ahli player Ndoye Elhadj Seydou said: “It is a difficult challenge but we have players who can do well against Al Sadd and make our fans happy. We deserved to be in the final and now all the players are looking for the title triumph.”
