Kigali’s Roaring Lions Make BAL History

In a night filled with emotion and excitement at BK Arena, RSSB Tigers etched their names into history by reaching the semifinals of the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL), eliminating Morocco’s FUS Rabat on aggregate despite a narrow 99-98 defeat in the second leg.

The Rwandan side had already laid a solid foundation in the first game with a dominant 95-72 victory, a result that ultimately proved decisive in securing their place among Africa’s top four teams.

A packed crowd inside BK Arena witnessed a thrilling contest as FUS Rabat came out firing, building a commanding 21-point lead at one stage. But RSSB Tigers refused to surrender. Driven by passion, resilience, and the fighting spirit that has defined their BAL campaign, the Kigali-based side battled back in dramatic fashion.

American star Craig Randall II once again emerged as the hero for Tigers, delivering an outstanding 43-point performance that kept Rwanda’s BAL dream alive.

The achievement marks another major milestone for Rwandan basketball, as RSSB Tigers continue proving that clubs from Rwanda can compete with — and challenge — the continent’s biggest basketball powers.

In the BAL 2026 semifinals, RSSB Tigers will now face Egyptian giants Al Ahly in what promises to be a highly anticipated showdown.