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Rwanda’s RSSB Tigers etched their names into African basketball history on Sunday after defeating Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88 to win the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Championship at the BK Arena in Kigali.
The victory makes RSSB Tigers the first Rwandan club to capture the prestigious BAL title, capping off a remarkable campaign that saw the team emerge as one of the continent’s dominant forces.
Led by standout guard Craig Randall II, the Tigers completed a memorable season in front of a packed home crowd. Following the final whistle, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall and FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave presented the championship trophy to the victorious side.
Randall II was also named the 2026 BAL Most Valuable Player, receiving the Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy after a sensational season in which he averaged 36.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. The American guard also set a new BAL scoring record when he exploded for 54 points against Tanzania’s Dar City on April 4.
The Tigers navigated a challenging route to the title, posting a 6-2 record across the Kalahari Conference and playoffs. They defeated Morocco’s FUS Rabat in the quarterfinals and Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the semifinals before edging Petro de Luanda in a thrilling championship game.
Earlier in the day, Libya’s Al Ahly Ly secured third place after defeating Egypt’s Al Ahly 106-98.
The 2026 BAL season proved to be the league’s most successful yet, setting new records for attendance, digital engagement and commercial partnerships. More than 110,000 fans attended games throughout the campaign, while the competition generated over 1.1 billion social media views. The league also enjoyed support from a record 22 marketing, merchandising and institutional partners.
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Several high-profile basketball figures attended the BAL Playoffs and Finals, including NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi, former NBA executive Masai Ujiri, and BAL ambassadors Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Ian Mahinmi and Chiney Ogwumike.
In the individual awards, RSSB Tigers head coach Henry Mwinuka was named Coach of the Year after guiding the club to its maiden BAL crown. The Tanzanian became the first coach from his country to receive the honour.
RSSB Tigers centre Mangok Mathiang claimed the Defensive Player of the Year award, receiving the Dikembe Mutombo Trophy after averaging 16 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while anchoring one of the league’s best defensive units.
Al Ahly Ly guard Mohamed Sadi earned the Sportsmanship Award and was presented with the Manute Bol Trophy for his exemplary conduct and leadership throughout the season.
Meanwhile, Nairobi City Thunder forward Ariel Koranga was recognised with the 2026 BAL Ubuntu Award. Koranga was honoured for his community work in Kenya, where he has used basketball as a tool to empower young women through programmes that combine sports training, mentorship, education, life-skills development and mental health support.
The BAL also unveiled its All-BAL First Team, All-BAL Second Team, All-Defensive First Team and All-Defensive Second Team selections, recognising the season’s top performers following voting by fans, coaches, captains, media representatives, broadcasters and scouts.
The historic triumph by RSSB Tigers marks a significant milestone for Rwandan basketball and further highlights the rapid growth of the Basketball Africa League as one of the continent’s premier sporting competitions.
