Ahli, Manama to clash for Khalifa bin Salman Cup title

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Holders Al Ahli are set to lock horns tonight with recently crowned league champions Manama for the coveted title in the 2021/2022 Khalifa bin Salman Cup. The highly anticipated tournament final is scheduled for a 9.30pm tip-off, and it will be played at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town.

Ahli will be gunning for their third straight Khalifa bin Salman Cup title and 15th overall, while Manama will be hoping to lift the prestigious trophy for the first time since the 2017/2018 season. They are also hoping for their 21st triumph in the competition. Ahli advanced to the final following a two-game sweep of Nuwaidrat in the Golden Square, while Manama booked their tickets with a victory over Muharraq in a three-game series. Manama are also fresh from claiming the league title earlier this month.

They had also achieved that championship against Muharraq over a threegame clash. This year’s final is also a rematch of last year’s title-decider, one that was claimed by Ahli 96-81. Ahli are set to rely on their deep roster of talented Bahraini players, led by guards Maitham Jameel, Hesham Sarhan and Ahmed Aldurazi.

They also feature a formidable frontline, with the likes of Mohammed Kowayed, Mohammed Qurban and Subah Hussain, as well as their professional player Adrian Uter from the U.S.. For Manama, they will be spearheaded by their American import Devin Ebanks, who was instrumental in their league triumph. They are expected to miss their other professional Davion Berry for disciplinary reasons, according to sources, while they will also get a boost from their local talent including Mohammed Hussain, Ahmed Salman, Hasan Nowrooz and Mohammed Ameer.