After a historic victory that saw the RSSB Tigers crowned champions of the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL), sports officials and enthusiasts across Rwanda and beyond sent heartfelt congratulatory messages to the team. The final was witnessed by a packed BK Arena, as coach Henry Mwinuka’s side edged out Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88 in a closely contested showdown. Fans’ and officials’ reactions: Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukazayire, took to X to congratulate the Tigers on their landmark achievement, writing: “Victory for Rwanda’s children, what excitement and journey. RSSB Tigers, thank you for representing the country. We are proud of you.” Intsinzi bana b’u Rwanda! Mbega ibyishimo, mbega urugendo! RSSB TIGERS, mwakoze kwimana u Rwanda . Dutewe ishema namwe! Ubu dufite igikombe cy'irushanwa, igikombe cy’umukinnyi w’irushanwa (MVP) Craig Randall II ndetse n’ igikombe cy’umutoza w’umwaka (Coach of the year),... https://t.co/3d5pLiVnCF — Nelly Mukazayire (@nmukazayire) May 31, 2026 Rwandan basketball legend Aristide Mugabe expressed gratitude on his Instagram story, thanking Tigers captain Antino Jackson and Dieudonné Ndayisaba, both of whom previously played for Patriots Basketball Club. The National Basketball Association (NBA) also issued a brief congratulatory message, stating: “Congrats to the RSSB Tigers on winning the 2026 BAL championship.” Congrats to the RSSB Tigers on winning the 2026 BAL Championship https://t.co/RIeDQhWqSr — NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2026 Other sports executives also reacted to the historic win via their X accounts. Among them was Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, who wrote: “Thank you, Rwanda! What a journey. We celebrate a season that shattered records across every major metric, from attendance and viewership to engagement and impact.” Thank you, Rwanda! What a journey. We celebrate a season that shattered records across every major metric, from attendance and viewership to engagement and impact.The future of basketball in Africa has never been brighter and we’re just getting started. #BAL6 — Clare Akamanzi (@cakamanzi) May 31, 2026 The CEO of the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Régis Rugemanshuro, also celebrated the triumph, posting: “Rwanda, we did it! Congratulations to the RSSB Tigers and the most amazing fans.” RWANDA, WE DID IT! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RSSB TIGERS @tigersbbc AND THE MOST AMAZING FANS! #CHAMPIONS #BAL6 #HISTORY @theBAL https://t.co/yaketNsQNm — Regis Rugemanshuro (@Regis_Rugema) May 31, 2026 Christine Nkulikiyinka, Minister of Public Service and Labour, also congratulated the team on X, writing: “We are the champions. Congratulations and thank you for a fantastic game. So well deserved.” Igikombe NICYACUUU! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS #BAL2026 Congratulations and thank you for a fantastic game @tigersbbc. So well deserved!!! pic.twitter.com/LJo2P3r7eS — C. Nkulikiyinka (@CNkulikiyinka) May 31, 2026 The victory marks a historic milestone, as RSSB Tigers became the first Rwandan club to win the BAL title since the competition began six years ago.
