In what will go down as one of the greatest finals in BAL history, RSSB Tigers recovered from a massive 20-point deficit to stun the defending champions and secure Rwanda’s first-ever BAL title. Even more remarkable, the triumph came in the club’s very first season in the competition.
The atmosphere inside the BK Arena was electric as home fans watched the Tigers produce an unforgettable display of resilience, determination and championship mentality. Rwanda President Paul Kagame was also in attendance to witness the historic achievement.
The Rwandan side eventually completed the comeback in dramatic fashion, sending the home crowd into wild celebrations at the final buzzer. The victory marked a stunning end to an extraordinary BAL campaign for the Kigali-based club, who only entered the tournament this season and were playing in the competition for the first time.
RSSB Tigers’ road to glory included a huge semifinal victory over Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, while Petro de Luanda booked their place in the final after defeating Al Ahly Ly.
The triumph also represents a landmark achievement for coach Henry Mwinuka, who guided the Tigers through a historic campaign that has now etched the club’s name into African basketball history.
For Petro de Luanda, the defeat was a heartbreaking end to another strong BAL season. The Angolan champions were aiming to reclaim the continental crown after previously winning the title in 2024, but Rwanda’s new basketball kings had other plans.
