2023–24 Algerian Basketball Cup Explained

Algerian Basketball Cup
Year:2024
Country:Algeria
Dates:April 5 – July 17, 2024
Num Teams:22
Defending Champions:WO Boufarik
Winners:USM Alger
Second:WO Boufarik
Semifinal1:TRA Draria
Semifinal2:NA Hussein Dey
Matches:21
Award Title:Zakaria Guezout
Prev Season:2023
Next Season:2025

The 2023–24 Algerian Basketball Cup was the 55th edition of the Algerian Basketball Cup. Consistent information from the Algerian Basketball Federation indicating the possibility of canceling the Algerian Cup final for the 2023-24 season.[1] This situation comes following the refusal of the authorities of the Wilaya of Jijel to host the final between WO Boufarik and USM Alger despite the visit of the president of the FABB and the national competitions commission where an agreement was given previously by local authorities. As such, the Federation, which intends to reschedule this final in Algiers, has been informed that La Coupole d'Alger Arena is requisitioned for another extra-sporting event (cosmetic products exhibition) for the day of July 13.

Round of 32

The Round of 32 of the Algerian Basketball Cup will be played on April 5 and 6. Title holder, WO Boufarik is exempt from the round and will enter the competition in the round of 16 like three other teams in the Super Division, namely NB Staouéli, USM Blida and Rouiba CB.[2]

Round of 16

The round of 16 of the Algerian Basketball Cup did not experience any notable surprises with the qualification for the quarter-finals of the main favorites.[3] While only the members of the Super Division remain in the running, with the exception of JSB Ain El Araba (National 1), the hierarchy was respected with in particular the victory of WO Boufarik holder of the trophy, against USM Blida (55-82), in the Mitidja derby, or the success of the outgoing Algerian champion, USM Alger against the newly promoted CR Béni Saf (68-85). For their part, NB Staouéli and MC Alger, also passed this round without much difficulty by dismissing, respectively, US Sétif (85-57) and Rouiba CB (74-47). Finally, note that TRA Draria, CSC Djasr Kasentina and NA Hussein Dey were propelled to the quarter-finals without playing following the withdrawals of JSB Ain El Araba, PS El Eulma and OS Bordj Bou Arreridj.

Quarter-finals

USM Alger beat CSC Djasr Kasentina with a score of 73 to 58. The USMA basketball players, reigning Algerian champions, took well the match in hand, with a 20-point lead in the first quarter (29–09), then (42–28) at half-time. In the second half, the Usmists managed their lead on the scoreboard (57–37) in the third quarter, before ending the match with a 15-point lead (73–58).[4] [5] WO Boufarik reached the semi-finals by dominating NB Staouéli with a score of 81 to 78, in the quarter-final played at La Coupole d'Alger Arena, the advantage of the Boufarikois, carried by their long-time leader Abdelhalim Kaouane. In the second quarter, Sofiane Boulahia's men managed to widen the gap under the leadership of their pivot recruited at the start of the season, Seddik Touati, returning to the locker room with an 11-point lead (47–36). In the second half, Staoueli's players first reduced the gap to seven points at the end of the third quarter (67–60), before going ahead two minutes from the final whistle (78–76). But the experience of the players of Boufarik and the free throw skills allowed the WO Boufarik to get back in front and win at the wire with three points in advance (81–78).

M Ouled Chebel vs. TRA Draria

Semi-finals

WO Boufarik offered itself the first ticket for the final of the Algerian Cup by defeating TRA Draria (67-59), at the Salle OMS Mohamed Kadiri in Rouïba, in a match counting for the first semi-final. In a remake of the 2022 final, TRA Draria failed to take revenge. Double defending champion, WO Boufarik once again managed to have the last word to reach its 3rd consecutive final.[6] The second ticket for the final of the Algerian Cup went to USM Alger. The Rouge et Noir successfully advanced to the semi-finals after defeating NA Hussein Dey (59-41). USM Alger reaches the final for the first time since 1996 and is looking for the first title in its history in the Algerian Cup.[7]

Final

USM Alger won the 53rd edition of the Algerian Basketball Cup, beating WO Boufarik, two-time holder of the trophy, with a score of (71-69). The “Rouge et Noir”, champions of Algeria in 2023, thus manage to win their first Algerian Basketball Cup in the history of the Algerian club, after the failure of their first attempt which dates back to the 1989 edition, lost against MC Alger (66-77). However, the WOB entered this final as favorite, having notably beaten USMA three times this season in the Super-Division (first leg: 78-63), (Second leg: 83-65) and (play -off: 85-78).[8]

valign=top align=right width=33%
WO Boufarik Statistics USM Alger
20/37 (54.1%) 2-pt field goals 21/42 (50%)
4/31 (12.9%) 3-pt field goals 7/24 (29.2%)
17/32 (53.1%) Free throws 8/16 (50%)
20 Offensive rebounds 15
27 Defensive rebounds 28
47 Total rebounds 43
19 Assists 16
19 Turnovers 22
Steals
3 Blocks 2
38 Fouls 40

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Basket-ball : La finale risque d’être annulée . . July 1, 2024 . July 5, 2024.
  2. Web site: Coupe d'Algérie : les 16es de finale fixés pour les 5 et 6 avril . Radio Algerie . March 16, 2024 . May 30, 2024.
  3. Web site: Coupe d'Algérie - 8es de finale : les favoris au rendez-vous . Radio Algerie . April 27, 2024 . May 30, 2024.
  4. Web site: Coupe d’Algérie 2024 de basket-ball (1/4 finale – messieurs) : Le WOB domine le NBS et rejoint l’USMA dans le dernier carré . Le jour d'Algérie . May 21, 2024 . May 27, 2024.
  5. Web site: Basket Coupe d’Algérie 2024 (1/4 finale – messieurs) : l’USM Alger bat le CSC Gué de Constantineet passe en demi-finales . Ouest Tribune . 21 May 2024 . 12 May 2024.
  6. Web site: Coupe d'Algérie 2024 : le WOB bat le TRAD (67-59) et passe en finale . Radio Algerie . 13 June 2024 . 15 June 2024.
  7. Web site: Coupe d'Algérie 2024 : l’USM Alger rejoint le WO Boufarik en finale . Radio Algerie . 15 June 2024 . 16 June 2024.
  8. Web site: Coupe d'Algérie 2024 : l'USMA s'adjuge le premier trophée de son histoire . Radio Algerie . July 18, 2024 . July 18, 2024.