RSSB Tigers Edges Petro de Luanda to Claim Historic 2026 Basketball Africa League Title

Posted : 01 June 2026

The RSSB Tigers made history on Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda, by capturing their first-ever Basketball Africa League (BAL) championship. The Rwandan hosts secured a thrilling 90-88 victory over the 2024 champions, Petro de Luanda. This memorable win marked the second time the Tigers defeated the Angolan giants during the 2026 season.

The match began in disastrous fashion for the home team. Petro de Luanda opened the contest with a staggering 20-0 run, forcing RSSB Tigers head coach Henry Mwinuka to call an early timeout. Petro's Aboubacar Gakou spearheaded the initial onslaught, scoring 15 points in the first quarter alone to help his team build a comfortable cushion.

The Tigers slowly found their rhythm after a dismal opening period. Tournament Most Valuable Player Craig Randall ignited the comeback in the second quarter by sinking consecutive three-pointers. Randall eventually finished with a game-high 33 points. His scoring outburst erased the deficit and gave the Tigers their first lead at 37-35, sending the packed BK Arena into a frenzy.

Petro de Luanda's rhythm faltered when Gakou picked up his third foul in the second quarter, forcing coach Sergio Valdeomillos to bench him. The Tigers capitalized on this absence, entering the halftime break with a 42-37 advantage. Critical turnovers and defensive breakdowns ultimately doomed the Angolan side, as they finished the game with 17 costly turnovers.

The second half turned into a fierce, back-and-forth battle. Gakou led Petro's fighting efforts with 28 points before fouling out late in the final quarter. The Tigers held their nerve defensively in the closing minutes to secure the narrow two-point victory. With this historic triumph, the RSSB Tigers earned a spot to represent Africa at the FIBA InterContinental Cup in Singapore this September.

Following the final buzzer, RSSB Tigers guard Ntore Habimana expressed immense pride in the achievement. He noted that the team stayed calm during Petro's initial 20-0 run and locked in defensively as instructed by the coaching staff. Habimana stated that winning the title meant everything to him, the city of Kigali, and the entire nation of Rwanda.

In contrast, Gakou reflected on the painful defeat with sportsmanship. The Petro forward credited the Tigers for their composure and resilience. He admitted that failing to protect a 20-point lead cost them the championship, while acknowledging that the overall quality of the BAL is rapidly improving each year.

RSSB Tigers Edges Petro de Luanda to Claim Historic 2026 Basketball Africa League Title

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