RSSB Tigers BBC made an impressive start to the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Finals, defeating Morocco’s FUS Rabat 95-72 in front of thousands of fans, including President Paul Kagame.
The BAL Finals tipped off on Friday, May 22, 2026, at BK Arena, marking the sixth edition of Africa’s premier club basketball competition to be hosted in Rwanda.
Earlier in the day, Senegal’s ASC Ville de Dakar edged Egypt’s Al Ahly 93-90 in a thrilling encounter. Attention then shifted to the highly anticipated clash between RSSB Tigers and FUS Rabat, watched by a crowd of 6,264 spectators.
Before tip-off, fans were treated to an entertainment showcase featuring cultural performances by Mashirika and various activities that energized the packed arena.
RSSB Tigers started strongly, with Ntore Habimana and Leonard Craig Randall II leading the charge as the Rwandan side claimed the opening quarter 24-13.
FUS Rabat attempted to fight back in the second quarter through the efforts of Kuany Atem Kuany and Ilias Aqboub, but RSSB maintained control and headed into halftime with a 45-36 advantage.
At halftime, Kenyan music star Bien-Aimé Baraza entertained supporters with a performance that included his popular hit “Finale,” one of the most-played songs in East Africa this year.
The Rwandan champions continued their dominance in the third quarter, extending their lead to 71-59. Although they struggled briefly at the start of the final period due to a series of turnovers and fouls, FUS Rabat failed to capitalize.
Driven by the support of the home crowd, RSSB regained momentum and closed out the game in style, securing a commanding 95-72 victory to begin their BAL Finals campaign on a high note.
Leonard Craig Randall II delivered a standout performance, scoring a game-high 38 points for RSSB Tigers. His teammate Mangok Mathiang also played a key role, recording 15 rebounds to help control the boards.
The BAL Finals continue with Tunisia’s Club Africain facing Libya’s Al Ahly Ly, followed by a matchup between Angola’s Atlético Petróleos de Luanda and Tanzania’s Dar City later in the evening.
