RSSB Tigers captain Antino Jackson believes his experience of playing in Lithuania could give the Rwandan club an advantage as they prepare to face Rytas Vilnius in their opening FIBA Intercontinental Cup game in Beijing on September 22. Jackson, who previously played in Lithuania, said he has faced Rytas two or three times and is familiar with their style of play. He expects the European side to pose a tough challenge with its ball movement, shooting ability and size. RSSB Tigers earned their place in the global club tournament after winning the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) title in Kigali in May. The Rwandan champions are now stepping up preparations for their debut appearance at the competition, with Jackson confident they can make the most of the experience. “I played against them two or three times. Really good team. They're going to have a lot of guys moving the ball, shoot really well, and have a lot of big guys inside,” Jackson told Times Sport. “So we're just going to prepare this week, play some friendly games, and see what we can do.” Jackson added that his previous experience in Lithuania has given him a good understanding of what to expect from Rytas. “I played in Lithuania, so I'm pretty familiar with the team. We have all the guys basically locked in and ready right now. We open against Rytas,” he said. The Tigers were drawn in Group A alongside Rytas and hosts Shanghai Sharks of China. The Rwandan champions are training twice a day at Petit Stade before travelling to Beijing later this week, with the team aiming to make a strong impression on their international debut. Head coach Henry Mwinuka said the squad is in good shape as it enters the final stages of preparation. “Everybody is in good shape; we are in the final stages of preparation before heading to China. Given the experienced players we have, we are confident that we will compete effectively against the other teams in our group,” Mwinuka said. Tigers' roster combines local talent with considerable international experience. Patriots’ rising star Hubert Sage Kwizera is among new faces added to the travelling squad for Beijing. The 22-year-old replaced Jean Victor Mukama and is now the youngest player in the 14-man squad, which also includes BAL MVP Craig Randall II, Tyler Bay, Nisre Zouzoua, Teafale Lenard Jr and Jonathan Hamilton. Kwizera said he has enjoyed training with the Tigers and believes the experience is rewarding as he prepares to make his international debut at club level. “I've been here for a week, but the practice is going really well. I'm excited to be here and to play against teams from Europe and Asia,” he said. “As a young player here, I'm so excited. It shows me all the hard work I've been doing is paying off. So, as a young player, you've got to trust in yourself and put in a lot of work.” The Tigers will hope to carry the momentum from their BAL triumph into the Intercontinental Cup, where they will test themselves against some of the best club sides from Europe and Asia.
