The two teams are in an exciting struggle today for the final championship of the season

Basketball Cup confused between the 14th title of Shabab Al Ahli and the tenth star of Sharjah

Shabab Al Ahli defends their title today against Sharjah. From the source

The basketball team in Shabab Al-Ahli and Sharjah, seven thirty this evening, two guests at Al Nasr Club Hall in Dubai, in the final match of the President's Cup competition, at the end of the basketball season. Shabab Al Ahli are seeking the 14th title in their history in the competition, while Sharjah is seeking the tenth star. The final of the 46th edition brings together the two most decorated teams in the history of the tournament.

Shabab Al Ahli won the title in the seasons: 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2022, while Sharjah had previously won the title in the seasons: 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 2002, 2009, 2010 and 2021.

Shabab Al Ahli reached the final after narrowly beating Al Wasl 86-84 in the semi-finals, while Sharjah needed an extra half to snatch a 103-102 win over Al Nasr, after the original time ended in a 92-92 draw.

The two teams seem to have equal chances to add their second title this season, after Sharjah was crowned last September with the title of the opening tournament (Federation Cup), while at the end of last month Shabab Al Ahli was crowned the league title.

Shabab Al Ahli is missing the services of international star Qais Omar due to injury, while Sharjah is also missing its distinguished winger and national team player Rashid Nasser, who was injured during the first quarter of the semi-final Al Nasr match. Saeed Ateeq, assistant coach at Shabab Al Ahli, told Emirates Today: "Our ambitions are great in continuing to provide strong performance, and to combine the dual season, and the team despite the absences is fully prepared technically and physically."

In turn, the Egyptian coach of Sharjah, Ahmed Omar, told Emirates Today: "Cup finals are difficult to predict their outcome, as despite the advantage that he possesses mathematically and on paper Shabab Al-Ahli being the most ready and playing strong matches this season, our ambitions are great in providing a strong match and returning with the cup."

He said that «Sharjah suffered throughout the season long stoppages, as he fought the semi-finals after a break of 29 days, saying that he will bet on three options from the young elements to compensate for the influential absence of Rashid Nasser, through Mohammed Thani, Mohammed Asad, and Mahmoud Wassim».

The ranks of the two teams include distinguished elements, whether from the national team players or foreign professionals, Shabab Al-Ahli has brothers Saeed and Mohammed Mubarak, Talal Salem, brothers Mohammed, Ahmed and Hamed Abdullatif, and the American professional duo Brandon Ritchie and Nicolas Minrath, while the Sharjah squad includes the centerman Jassim Mohammed and Omar Al Ameri, the American professional Lukas Kalin, and the Bosnian Kikanovic.

«Sharjah Women» and «Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy» in the women's final

Al Wasl Hall will host the final of the President's Cup for women's basketball this afternoon, which brings together the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy team and Sharjah Women's Sports Club. The players of the Fatima Bint Mubarak Academy are asking to achieve the double of the season after being crowned the league title, while the Sharjah Sports players for women aspire to rehabilitate after losing the league final (47-64).

Shabab Al Ahli and Sharjah aspire to achieve the double season after winning the «Knights» league title, and Sharjah the Federation Cup title.