BAL 2026: RSSB Tigers of Rwanda wins its first title

20-0 in the first quarter for Petro Luanda
More experienced, the Angolans mastered the debates quickly with a start of champions. The "Os Similis" were decisive and impressive in their precision, making Rwandans look like schoolchildren.

Sergio Valdeolmillos’s men dominated their opponents so much that they were 20-0 up at a point in the first quarter with a huge Childe Dundao rolling in baskets. However, the 2024 champion Petro Luanda has fallen into euphoria and will be fooled by his opponent towards the end of the quarter, which he will finish at 27-16.

The spectacular comeback of the Tigers
When they were beaten, the Rwandans were pushed by the Rwandan public who gave voice in the stands to push RSSB Tigers towards victory. And the revolt was initiated by the immense Leonarg Craig Randal II who raised the cursor and took his teammates with him in this positive dynamic. The RSSB has regained the ascendancy and imposed its intense pace on the Angolans, who began by showing signs of fatigue. 

As a result, the Tigers will fly this second quarter (26-10) with Alex Oyanga Mpoyo as lieutenant behind leader Randal II. The third was more intense, with only three points that separated the two teams (19-22) in favor of Petro Luanda who had two points behind his opponent at the beginning of the last quarter.

A breathtaking finale.
This one was one of the most unbreathable in the final, with a game at 100 per hour. Lunkey Gonçalves and Childe Dundao continued to increase hope among the Angolans, even if in front of Oumar Ballon Randal II or Mangok Mathiang ensured the resistance. In the end, the two teams neutralized each other (29-29) with the victory of the Tigers who thus succeed to Al Ahly Tripoli at the BAL record books.

Ultimate consecration for Rwandan basketball
This consecration of the RSSB Tigers is not only for Leonard Craig Randal II and his teammates, but above all the national consecration for a growing discipline in Rwanda. The government of Paul Kagame, who has made sport a powerful soft power driver for the international influence of this small country in Central Africa, can be proud to have succeeded.

This coronation of the Tigers is also a message of hope for the APR and the Patriots who have been breaking their teeth since the beginning of this Basketball League. Rwandan basketball is booming and could become more conquering in the future. In any case, the RSSB has paved the way for what still seems like the impossible in the recent past.