RSSB Tigers Basketball Club have intensified preparations for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs scheduled for May 22–31 in Kigali. Under head coach Henry Mwinuka, assisted by James Maye Jr. and Kenny Gasana, the RSSB-backed side has been training twice daily since May 1 as it targets a strong title challenge on home soil. The Tigers will begin their playoff campaign on May 22 against Moroccan side FUS Rabat at BK Arena. When Times Sport visited the team’s training camp on Friday, both players and coaches appeared highly motivated and focused throughout the session. ALSO READ: BAL Playoffs: What are Shema, Ballo bringing to RSSB Tigers? Fresh from topping the Kalahari Conference with a 4-1 record in Pretoria, South Africa, the Tigers believe they can achieve even more with the backing of home fans during the playoffs. Asked whether the Tigers now view themselves as the team to beat, captain Antino Jackson remained focused on the bigger picture. “We’re coming in trying to put on a show for the home crowd and take it one game at a time. We’re not really worried about who is chasing who. We’re chasing the goal, and that’s the championship,” Jackson said. ALSO READ: BAL: Jackson says Tigers fear no one The Tigers have strengthened their roster with the additions of Malian center Oumar Ballo, who currently plays in Italy’s top division, and forward Osborn Shema of APR BBC. Jackson described both players as valuable additions, praising Shema’s shooting and ball-handling skills while highlighting Ballo’s physical presence and finishing ability around the rim. Star guard Craig Randall, who finished as the Tigers’ leading scorer during the Kalahari Conference, said the tournament helped the team better understand itself despite limited preparation time beforehand. “I think we showed that we’re very resilient. We can come together at any time and play well. Going into the playoffs with more time to bond and improve together is only going to help us,” he said. Randall currently holds the BAL single-game scoring record after dropping 54 points against Dar City during the Kalahari Conference. However, he insisted that team success matters more than personal accolades. “The records don’t really mean much unless we win the championship. But it’s still a blessing to be in the BAL record books. This is the biggest basketball stage in Africa, so being the top scorer and holding the three-point record means a lot to me,” he noted. ALSO READ: BAL: Mwinuka talks tactics, Tigers’ playoffs ambitions The American guard also revealed that his wife and father will travel to Kigali to support him during the playoffs. “My wife and dad will be here, and I’m really excited about that. Having my dad watch me play in the playoffs from the front row has always been a dream of mine,” he said. Randall urged fans to fill BK Arena when the playoffs tip off in Kigali. “We can’t wait to see the fans. We appreciated all the support you gave us in Pretoria, and we know you’ll be even louder in Kigali. We’ll do everything we can to make you proud,” he said. Forward Teafale Lenard Jr., another standout performer during the conference stage, credited his strong displays to discipline and consistency. “It’s about staying with the grind, continuing to work and staying focused,” he said. He praised the team’s chemistry and understanding of individual roles, adding that the extra preparation time has further strengthened the bond within the squad. The Tigers’ roster blends experienced players and young talent pushing their way to the big stage. Young forward Paul Bizimana has been part of the Tigers journey from the time local basketball governing body designated the club to represent Rwanda at BAL as APR’s withdrawal. Despite struggling for playing time, Bizimana described the Kalahari Conference as an important learning experience and expressed pride in contributing to the team’s success. “We all worked hard,” he said, adding that the team continues to push itself during preparations ahead of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Ballo said he was excited to join the Tigers and compete in the BAL, describing the competition as a major platform for African basketball. “This competition has a very high level with a lot of talented players. Having the opportunity to play here means a lot to me,” he said. Despite recently joining the team, the Malian center said he was already impressed by the squad’s quality and balance. “We have talented players who can shoot, defend, create opportunities and move the ball well. I feel like we have everything needed to compete at this level,” he added. Following the conference stage, eight teams qualified for the playoffs and will travel to Kigali for the knockout phase. The quarterfinal pairings were determined by seeding, with higher-ranked teams facing lower-ranked opponents. Four teams finished the conference stage with identical 4-1 records, meaning final rankings were decided by points scored. Angola’s Petro de Luanda finished top of the standings, followed by Egypt’s Al Ahly, while RSSB Tigers placed third overall. The playoff format will feature quarterfinal matchups of 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5. The quarterfinals will be played over two legs, with aggregate scores determining the teams that advance to the semifinals. RSSB Tigers will therefore face FUS Rabat twice, with the aggregate winner progressing to the last four.
