BK Arena witnesses history. RSSB Tigers players celebrate after being crowned 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) champions, following a thrilling 90-88 victory over Angola’s Petro de Luanda in the final at BK Arena on Sunday, May 31. Photos by Olivier Mugwiza
In front of a packed BK Arena, debutants RSSB Tigers made history by winning the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) title, defeating Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88 in dramatic final on Sunday.
President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame were among the thousands of fans who witnessed the historic occasion on May 31.
The victory crowned the Tigers as champions of Africa and made them the first Rwandan club to win the BAL since the competition was launched in 2021.
Roared on by a passionate home crowd, RSSB Tigers produced a remarkable comeback after a difficult opening quarter, denying Petro de Luanda a second BAL title and delivering one of the greatest moments in Rwandan basketball history.
American guard Craig Randall II once again led from the front, producing a game-high 33 points in the final to cap an outstanding tournament. His performances throughout the campaign earned him the BAL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
The triumph marked the culmination of a dream debut season for the Tigers, who entered the competition as newcomers and ended it as continental champions.
The New Times photographer Olivier Mugwiza captured the defining moments of the unforgettable night—from the intensity of the contest and the emotions on the court to the celebrations that followed Rwanda’s biggest achievement in club basketball.
President Paul Kagame greets basketball fans at BK Arena as they celebrate RSSB Tigers’ historic Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2026 triumph. Backed by a packed home crowd, the Rwandan side defeated Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90–88 to become the first Rwandan club to win Africa’s premier basketball competition.
Backed by a packed home crowd, the Rwandan side defeated Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90–88 to become the first Rwandan club to win Africa’s premier basketball competition.
RSSB fans pose for a photo at BK Arena before the game.
A home supporter in celebration after RSSB Tigers clinch the BAL 2026 title.
The 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) final took place at a fully packed BK Arena
After struggling in the opening quarter, Craig Randall took control of the game in the second period and finished with a game-high 33 points.
American guard Craig Randall II dribbles past Petro de Luanda player during the game.
Rwandan basketball fans celebrate a historic night as RSSB Tigers are crowned BAL 2026 champions.
RSSB Tigers Ndizeye
Randall II led his side to a historic title triumph with RSSB Tigers, who edged Petro de Luanda 90–88 in Sunday's final at BK Arena.
A packed BK Arena erupts in celebration following RSSB Tigers’ historic BAL 2026 triumph.
American guard Craig Randall II, tries to go past Petro de Luanda player.
RSSB Tigers assistant coach American tactician James Maye Jr. gives instruction to Ntore- Habimana, as Henry Mwinuka, the team's head coach looks on.
Ecstatic fans celebrate as RSSB Tigers make history by winning the BAL 2026 championship.
Tigers produced a remarkable comeback after a difficult start to deny Petro de Luanda a second BAL championship.
A packed BK Arena hosts thousands of passionate fans on Sunday, May 31, as RSSB Tigers battle for the BAL 2026 title.
American guard Craig Randall II starred again, contributing 33 points to the home side’s victory in the final.
RRSB Tigers captain Antion Jackson Jr during the game.
RRSB Tigers captain Antion Jackson Jr in action during the game.
Tigers’ Mangok Mathiang (#45) blocks Petro de Luanda’s Raphiael Putney during Sunday’s BAL final.
First Lady Jeannette Kagame also attended the 2026 BAL final at BK Arena
Jubilant home fans celebrate RSSB Tigers’ victory in the BAL 2026 final.
Jubilant home fans celebrate RSSB Tigers’ victory in the BAL 2026 final.
Home fans celebrate RSSB Tigers’ historic BAL 2026 triumph at BK Arena.
RSSB Tigers' Ntore Habimana and American guard Craig Randall II celebrate during match.
Ange Kagame was among thousands of RSSB Tigers fans who attended the game.
Tigers produced a remarkable comeback after a difficult start to deny Petro de Luanda a second BAL championship.
President Paul Kagame watches the BAL 2026 final as RSSB Tigers edge Petro de Luanda 90–88 in a thrilling championship showdown.
Ntore Habimana celebrates with his teammate.
Scenes of joy as home fans celebrate RSSB Tigers’ dramatic BAL 2026 title victory.
Canadian-born Rwandan basketball player Ntore Habimana poses for a photo.
BK Arena witnesses history. Home fans cheer on players during the game.
After struggling in the opening quarter, Craig Randall took control of the game in the second period and finished with a game-high 33 points.
Backed by a packed home crowd, the Rwandan side defeated Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90–88 to become the first Rwandan club to win Africa’s premier basketball competition.
Scenes of joy as home fans celebrate RSSB Tigers’ dramatic BAL 2026 title victory.
Rwandan side RSSB Tigers were crowned champions of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2026 after overcoming Angola’s Petro de Luanda in a nail-biting final at BK Arena on Sunday. Photos by Olivier Mugwiza
FIBA Africa President, Anibal Manave chats with the American guard Craig Randall II who was named BAL 2026 Most Valuable Player (MVP)
FIBA Africa President, Anibal Manave chats with the American guard Craig Randall II who was named BAL 2026 Most Valuable Player (MVP) during the awarding ceremony.
American guard Craig Randall II was named BAL 2026 Most Valuable Player (MVP)
Rwandan basketball fans celebrate a historic night as RSSB Tigers are crowned BAL 2026 champions.
Rwandan side RSSB Tigers were crowned champions of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2026 after overcoming Angola’s Petro de Luanda in a nail-biting final at BK Arena on Sunday. Photos by Olivier Mugwiza
A packed BK Arena hosts thousands of passionate fans on Sunday, May 31, as RSSB Tigers battle for the BAL 2026 title.
A packed BK Arena erupts in celebration following RSSB Tigers’ historic BAL 2026 triumph.
The triumph marked a historic milestone for Rwandan basketball, as RSSB Tigers became the first Rwandan team to reach and win the BAL final.
Randall II celebrates after being named BAL 2026 Most Valuable Player (MVP). He led his side to a historic title triumph with RSSB Tigers, who edged Petro de Luanda 90–88 in Sunday's final at BK Arena.
BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall at the awarding ceremony.
The 2026 BAL edition final took place at a fully packed BK Arena on Sunday, May 31.
RRSB Tigers captain Antion Jackson Jr.
BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall presents the championship trophy to RSSB Tigers captain Anthony Jackson Jr. during the BAL 2026 trophy ceremony at BK Arena following the Rwandan club’s historic title victory.
RSSB Tigers captain Anthony Jackson Jr. and his teammates celebrate during the BAL 2026 trophy presentation ceremony at BK Arena after leading the Rwandan club to a historic Basketball Africa League title.
Scenes of joy as home fans celebrate RSSB Tigers’ dramatic BAL 2026 title victory.
RSSB Tigers head coach Henry Mwinuka was named Coach of the Tournament after guiding the Rwandan club to a historic Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2026 title. Courtesy of BAL
RSSB Tigers captain Anthony Jackson Jr. and his teammates celebrate during the BAL 2026 trophy presentation ceremony at BK Arena after leading the Rwandan club to a historic Basketball Africa League title.
RSSB Tigers captain Anthony Jackson Jr. and his teammates celebrate during the BAL 2026 trophy presentation ceremony at BK Arena after leading the Rwandan club to a historic Basketball Africa League title.
Players in celebration of BAL 2026 title.
The victory also marked RSSB Tigers’ second win over the Angolan giants this season.
Scenes of joy as home fans celebrate RSSB Tigers’ dramatic BAL 2026 title victory.
The triumph marked a historic milestone for Rwandan basketball, as RSSB Tigers became the first Rwandan team to reach and win the BAL final.
Players and fans celebrate during the BAL 2026 trophy presentation ceremony at BK Arena after leading the Rwandan club to a historic Basketball Africa League title.
President Paul Kagame greets basketball fans at BK Arena as they celebrate RSSB Tigers’ historic Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2026 triumph.
BK Arena witnesses history. RSSB Tigers players celebrate after being crowned 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) champions, following a thrilling 90-88 victory over Angola’s Petro de Luanda in the final at BK Arena on Sunday, May 31, Photos by Olivier Mugwiza
BK Arena witnesses history as RSSB Tigers players celebrate after being crowned 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) champions, following a thrilling 90–88 victory over Angola's Petro de Luanda in the final on Sunday.