Basketball Africa League – Sahara Conference: Moustapha Gaye outlines the ambitions of ASC Ville de Dakar

As the Basketball Africa League Sahara Conference opens in Rabat, ASC Ville de Dakar approaches the competition with ambition and composure. Drawing on the experience gained in the previous edition, coach Moustapha Gaye is counting on a strengthened roster and the confidence placed in his players to rise to the challenge against high-level opposition.

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara Conference kicks off this Thursday in Rabat, Morocco, with high stakes for the participating clubs. Representing Senegal, ASC Ville de Dakar has already settled into its base in the Moroccan capital, where the competition will be held from April 24 to May 3.

The Dakar club will compete in a particularly tough group, alongside FUS Rabat (Morocco), Al Ahly (Egypt), JCA Kings (Ivory Coast), Club Africain Tunis (Tunisia), and Maktown Flyers (Nigeria). This competitive lineup promises intense matches right from the start.

Despite the high level of competition, ASC Ville de Dakar coach Moustapha Gaye approaches the tournament with composure and ambition. Present in Rabat with his team, the Senegalese coach made no secret of his enthusiasm for participating in this 6th edition of the BAL.

“We are very happy to be here in Rabat and very excited to start the competition. We know that the tournament will be very competitive with high-quality teams,” he said.

Building on their experience in the previous edition, the club from the Senegalese capital returns this year with a renewed and strengthened squad. Experienced players like Axel Toupane, Deng Andgok Yak Deng, and Matthieu Missonnier have joined the team to support local talent, aiming to take the next step in their career.

“Last year was a baptism of fire. We learned a lot. This season, we are starting again on a new footing with more experience and serenity. The objective is to progress in content and in organization,” explained Moustapha Gaye.

Refusing any form of excessive pressure, the coach advocates a gradual approach: taking the games one after the other, with respect for the opponents but also with a real desire to perform.

“We are not coming here with a big ego. We want to play every match with humility, but also with ambition. We hope to achieve good results,” he added.

At the heart of his philosophy, Moustapha Gaye emphasizes the central role of the players. Confidence, motivation, and organization form the pillars of his technical approach.

"The players are the major players. My job is to trust them, to motivate them and to maintain consistency in ideas. They are the key elements," he insisted.

With careful preparation and a clear ambition, ASC Ville de Dakar hopes to come out on top in this highly contested Sahara Conference and proudly represent Senegalese basketball on the continental stage.