Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers win the Basketball Africa League at home
The debutants beat Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88 in Kigali to become Rwanda’s first BAL champions.
Key points
- Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers beat Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88 at BK Arena in Kigali on 31 May 2026 to win the Basketball Africa League.
- The Tigers won the title in their first BAL season and became the first Rwandan team to be crowned champions.
- Guard Craig Randall II scored 33 points in the final and was named MVP.
Rwanda's RSSB Tigers are the champions of African basketball. On 31 May 2026, they beat Angola's Petro de Luanda 90-88 in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) final at BK Arena in Kigali.
Champions on debut
It was the Tigers' first BAL season, and they became the first Rwandan team to win the title. They came back from a deficit in the first half to deny Petro de Luanda a second championship.
Guard Craig Randall II scored a game-high 33 points and was named the most valuable player. Aboubacar Gakou led Petro with 28 points.
A home crowd advantage
Winning in front of a home crowd at BK Arena made the victory even more special. Kigali has become a regular host of major sporting events, and the BAL, run with the NBA and FIBA, has helped build a following for professional basketball across the continent.
Why it matters
The BAL, now in its sixth season, is showing that African club basketball can produce thrilling, closely fought finals. A debutant champion from Rwanda shows that the league is becoming more open and competitive.
Sources
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