KIGALI

Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers were crowned champions of the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) after edging Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88 in a thrilling final at BK Arena in Kigali on Sunday.

The victory marked a historic achievement for the Tigers, who became the first Rwandan club to win the BAL title since the league was launched in 2021 through a partnership between the NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

Led by standout guard Craig Randall II, the Tigers completed a remarkable campaign that saw them emerge as one of the continent’s dominant teams.

Randall was later named the league’s Most Valuable Player, receiving the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy after averaging 36.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game during the season. He also set a BAL record by scoring 54 points against Tanzania’s Dar City on April 4.

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall and FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave presented the championship trophy to the Tigers following the final.

The celebrations capped a memorable season for the Kigali-based club, which went 6-2 during the Kalahari Conference group phase and playoffs.

The Tigers defeated Morocco’s FUS Rabat in the quarterfinals and Egypt’s Al Ahly in the semifinals before overcoming Petro de Luanda in the championship game.

Earlier in the day, Libya’s Al Ahly Ly secured third place with a 106-98 victory over Egypt’s Al Ahly.

The 2026 BAL season also set new benchmarks for the competition. More than 110,000 fans attended games across the season, while the league generated more than 1.1 billion social media views.

A record 22 marketing, merchandising and institutional partners supported the league throughout the campaign.

Several prominent basketball figures attended the playoffs and finals in Kigali, including NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi and former NBA and WNBA stars serving as BAL ambassadors.

The BAL also announced its season awards, with Tigers center Mangok Mathiang named Defensive Player of the Year and head coach Henry Mwinuka receiving Coach of the Year honors. Mwinuka became the first Tanzanian coach to win the award.

The BAL is Africa’s premier professional basketball competition and completed its sixth season in 2026.